Growing in freedom

I read somewhere and I fully agree that being able to accept 'reality' as it comes to us, is a very important step towards growing in freedom. Another is knowing our limitations as human beings - limited by our constitution, our circumstances, our past choices and so on. These two stances come much more easily as I get older - less idealistic (or perfectionistic), less prone to overdo many things. I notice that I am able to step back more and more; not struggling as much about - should I help, can I help.....it's easier to gauge whether I have the energy and means to do the many (good) things out there. But the journey is never so simple - the ups and downs still come along together with the many voices that need to be discerned.

These days as I journey with others, one of the most important criterion of 'spiritual growth' is whether the person becomes more "free" in their relationships - with self, God, others. Are we allowing God to be God in our lives (not needing to make Him in our image) ? In our relationship with Him, do we give Him more and more free reign? In our relationship with self, are we free enough from inner voices of the past, telling us, even compelling us in ways that distort who we really are? Are we relating with others such that we can accept even when we cannot always approve? For all of us there are back and forth swings in our degree of freedom.........though we hope the forward movement persists. How helpful is another fellow journeyer to point out lovingly and patiently - what we sometimes don't see although it's right in front of us. And also to give us the encouragement to carry on........