Deeper Lessons Within: The Pharisee and the Free Bird

Buddy and I had a leisurely Southern breakfast. We made a few stops for souvenirs and then we headed to the beach.

When we got there, everyone was packing up and leaving. I said to her, “This is great. We will have the whole beach to ourselves.”

She pointed to dark looming clouds that were blowing in. I replied, “I live in Colorado…the weather changes in an instant. We will be fine, let’s go swimming.”

As my toes hit the water, a huge wind gust came up, blowing sand everywhere.

Buddy stood on our beach matt to hold it down while asking someone who was leaving, “Is there a tornado warning or something we should be worried about?”

“No ma’am, but there’s a storm coming and when the skies open up, it will pour.”

My sweet friend gestured to me to come to her, but I didn’t want to leave. I walked from the water to our now vacant spot. Everything was packed and ready to go.

We walked to the car and water fell from the sky. We barely made it inside the car and it was a downpour.

“That was exciting,” I exclaimed. “What a fun way to spend an afternoon. We are not working at our offices…we are free with the wind!”

Buddy snorted, “I have sand grit in my teeth.”

We laughed and then agreed we’d head back to the resort’s pool.

***

Our glass of red paired well with the water feature, humidity, and partial sun.

Four ladies entered the pool area.

They asked us to take their picture and then we chatted. They were on their yearly girls trip too. 

 Buddy asked, “What do you do on your girl’s trip?”

The most outspoken one (whom I named Free Bird) said, “We mostly play cards and sit around and talk.” 

Then, she leaned into Buddy and whispered pretending her friends couldn’t hear (even though she knew they could), “I’ve been dry all week.”

Buddy, in her typical fashion, giggled. “Let us pour you a glass.” 

Poking fun at her friends, Free Bird said, “Oh, I couldn’t…these three would lock me out of the room.”

As I talked with the other three ladies, they pointed to their fun-loving friend, “She’s the one who always gets us in trouble.”

Freeboard responded, “I’m the oldest in the group…I’m 86 years old and I’m more lively and fun than you three!”

“Come on, Trouble,” the three conservative ladies beckoned, “it’s time to play cards.”

Free Bird walked behind them mimicking their “proper” walk.

Buddy made one last plea, “We are in room 215, building 5, if you change your mind.”

Free Bird replied, “I’m switching friends.” She motioned to me. “You go with them, I’m hanging with Buddy!”

I laughed and said, “Everybody wants my Buddy!”

She winked and then followed her friends.

I felt the crunch of remnant sand in my teeth as I smiled. I thought about the fun of the waves and the seriousness of the storm; and then of the fun-loving woman and the more proper ones—The Free Bird and the Pharisees. Actually, they weren’t legalistic, they were all laughing and having a good time, but there was such a contrast of personalities.

The Pharisee and the Free Bird both live within me as well—the Free Bird bristles against my Pharisee. My Pharisee tries to keep Free Bird in line. But can’t both reside?

At times, I can be too serious, judgmental, too calculating and too structured. I attempt to out plan God and the Pharisee within wants to run ahead. My Free Bird balances Ms. Pharisee (and vice versa). I told Buddy I want to be as fun-loving as Free Bird when I’m 86. And while it’s good to be unconfined, we also need restraint—the ebb and flow of both.

So as I identified my more serious side and the more unfettered, I decided that I don’t need to evict either, they can both live together. As long as my Pharisee doesn’t get too legalistic and Free Bird doesn’t become too carefree—if they are playing cards together, all is good.