Finding your identity and knowing who you are
Unchecked, pain becomes your identity. My life turns on an unwanted hinge; before I got sick and after. The day my hands refused to obey my brain changed everything, but I don’t want my illness to become who I am, nor the dominoes that fell as a result to define me. Finding your identity and knowing who you are is a lifelong process. But remember, don’t build your identity on the temporal, because anything temporal can be lost.
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:21 NLT
Mrs.
At the age of nineteen, I walked the aisle and pledged my forever love to a curly headed twenty year old and became Mrs. I thought forever meant forever, especially after thirty years. For sure I will love him forever, but he hasn’t been home in 627 days. Not that I’m counting. My identity as Mrs. is careening toward Ms.
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22 NIV
Dr.
Toxic doses of caffeine coursed through my veins, accentuated by boxes of malted milk balls; the secret recipe for all-night study sessions to learn every bump and crevice of the skeletal system and the path of the ureter under the uterine artery. When I became doctor, a long white coat and a beeper were permanent accessories to my wardrobe. My license is still current, but my eyes and hands aren’t reliable and my identity shifted in a moment. Suddenly, I wasn’t the doctor, but I needed one.
“But when He heard this, He said, “Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but the sick do.” HCSB
Supermom
Practicing medicine with a family is an elaborate juggling act which I never could have done alone. My husband was the ultimate dad; he took up the slack and bathed the kids, braided hair and got them in bed often hours before I got home. My grown kids swear I never missed any of their events, which isn’t true but I probably looked like Mrs. Jetson en route from the hospital to school programs and sporting events. They still call me Momma and they are my life support, but the flying car is permanently parked since neither of them live in our hometown, much less our house. My supermom cape hangs in the closet.
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 NLT
Princess
For sure there’s been pain, but that’s not who I am and it’s not who you are either. I’m a princess. You are treasured and dearly loved by God who wants to be your savior and your friend, no matter what temporal title you’ve lost.
Maybe I can’t be Dr. Henderson or Mrs. Henderson. My identity is not as an author, speaker, daughter, mother or friend. All of those can be lost; every single one. My identity is in Christ alone. I am a daughter of the King.
I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ, daughter of the King #identity Click To Tweet
“to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:2 ESV
Get to know yourself
Hello self, it’s nice to meet you. For 50 years, I never slowed enough to know who I am, but over the last three years, myself and I have spent a lot of time getting acquainted. I’m finding my identity in Christ. Who are you? Do you know? Find yourself.
I am His daughter. I am His creation. I am His child. I am blessed. 🙂
That makes us sisters!
Amen. Sisters in Christ ! What a blessing! 🙂
Cape or no cape, you’re still a super hero.
Love you!
You are a beautiful daughter of the King Vickie.
You too
So so good. I love to read Ephesians chapter 1 when I need to remember who I am. Love your words. Thank you.
Thank you, good reminder
Vickie, I love your postings. One thing for certain in this life is change. I have often repeated the saying “Babies cry to be changed and the rest of us fight it every step of the way!”
We love our comfort zones and things remaining the same, but as you so properly pointed out, things can change in the blink of an eye.
May God bless you for sharing your heart and for helping us to understand that there is one thing for certain – – – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and we belong to Him!!!
I’m stealing that quote for sure
Thank you for allowing us to peak into your life lone enough to relate. I think most women have wrestled with our identity and probably had an identity crises or two. I have. I am a pastor’s wife, the mother of a pastor, a missionary/teacher and a teacher. I’m mother-in-love and grandmother. So more than not I get introduces as somebody’s something. Transitions happen without an announcement and I fight it with all my strength. Matter of fact, I’m facing a possible transition that may take me from close proximity to my grandchildren. Yuk! Thank you for giving me the word to feast on as I wait to see what God will do. Blessings!
Hmmm, somebody’s something. That puts in perspective