What Simply Free Really Means

Several people have asked me why I named my blog Simply Free.  I don’t give things away for free. I don’t only write about items that I received a no cost. So why the name? What on earth does it really mean then? And what is the purpose behind such a blog? If you read my post explaining why this space exists, you already know some of why this blog is even here. Originally I had named my blog :: a simple little kind of free :: but then shortened it to :: simply free :: this past year. But what you may not know is how it came to be named.

Well, it’s quite simple really. The husband and I are both quite fond of John Mayer. His was one of the first concerts we went to together. We really vary in our musical tastes overall, and John Mayer is one that we both liked before we ever met and shared a passion for together as well. His song Perfectly Lonely has a line in it that says “a simple little kind of free”. Now in the context of the song, he is talking about not being constricted by a relationship where he can be whoever he wants to be, go wherever he wants to go, and do whatever he wants to do. That not having to be who someone else expects you to be is in itself a freedom that is a rather simple thing to see.

The beauty of these lyrics is that while for John this may be in the context of being perfectly lonely absent of a romantic relationship, but that these words can truly describe much more as well. Part of why I connect so deeply to music is that often the words can take on several meanings given your life and experiences. To me, this simple freedom of being able to be whoever YOU are without constraint from another person comes when we truly abandon control and surrender to the one true King. That when we strive to serve Him, it matters less where others want us to go, what they desire for us to do, or expect for us to be. There is such a simplicity in the freedom of knowing that He is in control. That He is sufficeient. That as we follow after His heart, we are then truly simply free to be who we were created to be.

And that’s how the name came to be! The purpose of this title really is the purpose of this blog. To capture the thoughts and questions of a life spent seeking His face. Of living in His grace, searching for simplicity in all areas of life, and chronicling the lingering thoughts of how to live this life out doing just that. As my life has changed, the content of this space has changed. I have, and will continue to, always post “wordy” posts pondering ideas from literature, sermons, or conversations with friends. While topics centering on my faith will be the central point of this blog, the offshoots will ebb and flow with the seasons of life. DIY projects for the house, healthy recipes, and the early points of marriage are currently the stage of life I occupy. While the first two will likely linger, soon children may be a part of the picture. Jobs will change. Hardships may ensue. Tragedy may occur. But blessings will continue, and so will His never ending providence. And as long as this space exists, the purpose will continue to be sharing the life of living in His love, whatever that looks like at the moment, being simply free to explore all that He has in store for me.

If you are interested in submitting a question and being our FEATURED blogger of the week please fill out this form 🙂