Who

Who are you? This may be the easiest question you’ve ever been asked. Let me make it more difficult. Without using your name, who are you? That question begs a little more digging a little more introspection.

Are you a parent? If you are you know the joys and the sadness associated with such a title. You know the joy of holding your baby in your arms as they sleep. You know the smile it brings to your heart to hear their laugh. You know the happiness you feel when they run to you and wrap their arms around you. You also know the helplessness you feel when they are sick. You know the worry you experience when they are away from you the first time. You know the doubt you encounter, “am I doing this parent thing right?”

Are you a sibling? If so I bet you have memories both good and bad with the others. You probably remember the fun it was to pick on someone smaller, or maybe you remember getting picked on. You remember having someone to play games with, someone to color with, someone to talk to, and someone to fight with. I wasn’t able to grow up with my siblings but I had cousins that were just as close. I can remember the fights, the tears, the laughter, and most of all the love. They truly were my first friends.

Are you a child? This one gets me every time. I am lucky to have the parents I had. I know what it feels like to make a parent happy. To see the light in their eye when someone talks about you. I also know what it feels like to let them down. I have seen that disappointment in their face because “that’s not how you were raised.” I know the joy I felt when I for the first time was able to do something special for them. I know how hard it was to grow up and leave. I know what it feels like to know your mama deserved a much better kid than the one she got when she got you. I also know that she loves me most of the time more than I love myself.

Are you who you are at work? This one is a bit of a problem for me. I have been an HVAC technician for more that half my life and my entire adult life, so people know me as such. Since that is what I am known as to some I take that job very personally. I know what it feels like for someone to be happy I made it so I can get their heat running. I know the smile you wear when someone says you’re a lifesaver because you got them cooling. I also know how disheartening it is to not be able to fix something. I know how that can make you feel like a failure as a person.

Out of all of these things the most important one is “you are who God says you are.” That’s what we need to focus on. You are wonderfully made. You are a conqueror. You are accepted. You are created to stand out. You are a masterpiece. You are Loved.

Currently I am hanging on that last one. You are loved! I need that one today. Lord when I forget please remind me, I am created in your image and I am loved.

If you’re having trouble today just know you’re not alone, know that I am with you, that I am praying for us, and most importantly that I love you.