Who We Really Are and What We're Really Made Of
The economy has rattled our personal cages in some very needed ways. I don't, even for a second, wish hard times on anyone but I realize that lessons are usually best learned through pressure. My husband and I have learned some huge financial lessons over the years due to his career in sales. We ride every economic tidal wave, the thrills as well as the setbacks.
The Great Recession has an upside: charity awareness, household education in needs versus wants, neighbors helping neighbors, and personal identity evaluation. We are forced to define ourselves when we are shoved out of our comfort zones like preschoolers firmly nudged onto stage by a cranky teacher.
We fear the pointing fingers and laughter of others. We fear waking up to our worst nightmare; standing on stage. Alone. Naked. For a few, this could be a proud moment. Ew. But for the majority of us, we'd rather die than be exposed as the chubby weaklings we are, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
We nervously sweat and ask ourselves
Our minds are plagued by unanswerable questions when we lose our jobs, lost the big sale, lose our homes, lose a loved one, lose use of hands or feet due to injuries, or simply lose our way in life.
Much of our identity is tied up in what we do. We provide for our families, pay bills, work hard, greet our neighbors, keep our yards tidy, attempt to be good parents, give to charity, volunteer once in a while so that we are 'good people', etc.
And what if something happens?
What if we lost a leg in a tragic car accident and could never work again? Do we cease to be valuable?
What if we lose our jobs? Do we cease to be a contributing member of society?
What if we chose to be a stay-at-home mother? Do we cease to be valuable to a work-driven world?
What if we chose to be a working mother? Do we cease to be a good mother?
What if, God forbid, we should lose our spouse or a child to the grave? Do we cease to believe that we have a function or role outside those parameters of love?
I can't answer these questions, even for myself. The only thing I know is that He is the I AM. He can carry us when we jump in His waiting arms. He can heal us when we're broken. He can sustain us through life's stormy seasons. He can be our joy, our peace, our fulfillment, our strength.
He can shape our identity. He's the one who created us in the first place.
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Resources you may enjoy:
*Come Alive - blog link by Mark Bucanan
*Article by Time Magazine - How the Great Recession Changed our Spending Habits
*Online Tool - See Your Money Future TODAY by Dave Ramsey (what your retirement looks like)
The Great Recession has an upside: charity awareness, household education in needs versus wants, neighbors helping neighbors, and personal identity evaluation. We are forced to define ourselves when we are shoved out of our comfort zones like preschoolers firmly nudged onto stage by a cranky teacher.
We fear the pointing fingers and laughter of others. We fear waking up to our worst nightmare; standing on stage. Alone. Naked. For a few, this could be a proud moment. Ew. But for the majority of us, we'd rather die than be exposed as the chubby weaklings we are, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
We nervously sweat and ask ourselves
When will this be over?
What if I make a fool of myself and other people laugh?
What in the world am I doing here anyway?
Our minds are plagued by unanswerable questions when we lose our jobs, lost the big sale, lose our homes, lose a loved one, lose use of hands or feet due to injuries, or simply lose our way in life.
Much of our identity is tied up in what we do. We provide for our families, pay bills, work hard, greet our neighbors, keep our yards tidy, attempt to be good parents, give to charity, volunteer once in a while so that we are 'good people', etc.
But is who you are, really what you do? Or are you more?
And what if something happens?
What if we lost a leg in a tragic car accident and could never work again? Do we cease to be valuable?
What if we lose our jobs? Do we cease to be a contributing member of society?
What if we chose to be a stay-at-home mother? Do we cease to be valuable to a work-driven world?
What if we chose to be a working mother? Do we cease to be a good mother?
What if, God forbid, we should lose our spouse or a child to the grave? Do we cease to believe that we have a function or role outside those parameters of love?
Who are you really?
I can't answer these questions, even for myself. The only thing I know is that He is the I AM. He can carry us when we jump in His waiting arms. He can heal us when we're broken. He can sustain us through life's stormy seasons. He can be our joy, our peace, our fulfillment, our strength.
He can shape our identity. He's the one who created us in the first place.
He knows who you are and who you can be, even if you don't.
---
Resources you may enjoy:
*Come Alive - blog link by Mark Bucanan
*Article by Time Magazine - How the Great Recession Changed our Spending Habits
*Online Tool - See Your Money Future TODAY by Dave Ramsey (what your retirement looks like)
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