Years ago when Richard and I ran a youth group, we used this poem by a youth minister at Nailscars.com as part of a worship service where the young people shared their experiences of navigating school; friendship groups; expectations of parents, teachers, peer groups; and their own insecurities.  No matter how old we are, I believe it helps to be reminded that each one of us is a child of God, and in God is where true freedom lies.

“This is how it feels to be free
to pull my feet out of the dark deep mud of doubt
To brush away the gnat-thoughts that pester me
“you are not enough”
“you are not enough”
“you are not enough”

This is how it feels to be free
To step from hot sun into cool shade
and know that this is where I was meant to be
what I was created to be.

This is how it feels to be free
to strip away guilt like wet clothes
to lose their weight and stand
tall
and dry
and redeemed

This is how it feels to be free
to run
to laugh
to dance
to stop and notice and breathe
To spread my arms wide
and embrace
all that He made me to be

This is how it feels to be free
to not worry what you think of me
to not strive to make you like me
accept me
Love me.
To let His love pour over me
like cool water
on a July afternoon

This is how it feels to be free
to give up all of me
to surrender willingly
thankfully
desperately
all that is inside of me
to be captured in love by the one who died for me
and gives me freedom

This is how it feels to be free
to forget for a moment that I am anything but a child of God
and to stand at his feet in awe
as my mouth
and my heart
and my hands
and my toes
and all of who I am
sings His praises
This is how it feels to be free”