If someone asked you to describe yourself, what would you say?  There is an older country song I like called “Who I Am” by Jessica Andrews.  She sings that she is “Rosemary’s grand daughter, a spitting image of her father”.

We all want to be known, and feel like we belong. When asked to describe ourselves we often can answer the “who I am” question with our job title, or based on our relationships.  As a mom my identity is often related to who’s mom I am.  If I meet a friend of my middle schooler, than I am Leah’s mom.  If I am working in my son’s classroom than I am Hunter’s mom.  When I go grocery shopping at my husband’s store, I am Jason’s wife.

As a stay at home mom, it is my job to care for my family, and a privilege not everyone is granted.  However; my oldest graduated and reached adulthood, my role will look different.  My identity can’t be found in my relationships.

When we began the foster adoption path, we did not know that we would adopt a black daughter. As a white woman I knew there would be challenges to providing her connections with her culture and race.  I was struggling with how to be the best mom to her that I could despite my limitations.  How could I be what she needed and help her find her identity?

God brought scriptures and people who reminded me where our true identity is found. 

We are all Chosen/beloved (Colossians 3:12), Children of God (1 John 3:1), Made in his image (Genesis 1:27), Worthy, Accepted, Forgiven and free from the things that held us (Ephesians 1:5-7), Conquerers (Romans 8:37), Victorious (Revelations 12:11) and Healed by his wounds (Isaiah 53:5).

God has a magnificent plan and purpose for our lives, (Jeremiah 29:11) that can’t be thwarted ,(Psalms 33:11) and was designed just for us (Ephesians 2:10).

I am still a wife and mom, but who I am is so much more. My true identity is found in Christ.  Everything else is who I am, because of this.