Because May 23 was my birthday, I thought it appropriate to include a reflection of my own trials and growth and how being grounded in God has helped me grow in gratitude and grace even through tough times. I want to begin by reflecting on the foundational scripture for this series, Colossians 2:6–7, “So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Join me as I reflect on the gift of becoming who God created me to be!
Another Year, Another Perspective for Becoming
Birthdays make great reflection points. Often, we take the time to look back at what was and what can still be. We may even revel in experiences and the love of people in our life. We may admire our accomplishments and make wishes for the future. There may be some gratitude as well as some regret. I encourage you to take this opportunity to also examine how you and your life are or are not rooted in God, in faith.
Birthdays are also a great time to express gratitude for life itself. Afterall, life is a gift! But it is also a great time to reflect on your becoming. Think about where you started, where you are now and the direction you are headed. I am not talking about money, material things or even relationship status. I am talking about your purpose. This is something I think about and pray about for me. I long to become the person God created me to be and to find and live out Avodah. Knowing that I am on the right path, I am becoming.
What I Thought Life Would Be
I don’t think I ever really had an idea of what life would be like. I am not sure I even had dreams. There were expectations placed on me; expectations of college graduation and career. I knew I wanted love and a family of my own. I didn’t really have any dreams at that point. God was certainly not included in that time of my life. I think life just happened to me and I went with it.
I never had big dreams. Only as a young child did I dream of careers. I dreamt of being a teacher and of being a lawyer. and of working in an office in some capacity. I knew I wanted to have a family. Looking back, these were telling, just not in the way I thought. I was told that I could be anything I wanted to be. I didn’t believe that, even to this day. It is not a negative thing. I now have the wisdom to know that every person is not created the same and that is a great thing! By the way, God was not in this picture. He was in my life. I just didn’t know it!
What Life Actually Became
Trials of Becoming
Life has been a journey! My husband and I have gone through our fair share of trials and challenges. God never promised life would be easy. We gave up my career (it hadn’t even started) to have a family. He worked long days while I stayed home to raise our family. Our intention was to give our children a stable and loving family. Only they can tell you if that is what they feel they received. I did end up working for some of the years while they were younger, mostly when my husband was home, so that usually meant nights. Although I love my family and I know I did the right thing by being there, this is where I began to lose myself. Honestly, I really didn’t know who I was beyond being a wife and mother. And God was not really a part of our family.
Detours to Becoming
Our main focus was raising our family and making money to provide for them. We were on a detour away from God. As my children grew, faith and God became a bigger part of our lives, but it was more because of what we thought we should do than growing our relationship with Him. We often faced financial hardships that pulled our focus from Him. I had no idea how important surrender was or what it even meant. Every time I started to focus on my relationship with God, something got in the way. Looking back, I can see it now. At that moment, I had no clue what was happening.
Growth is Beginning
Although God was moving within me and the Holy Spirit was guiding me, I was still struggling with growth; my growth in faith and my growth towards who God created me to be. It was happening. We moved. Picking up our family, we moved to a beautiful place where life was slower and a little more intentional. We planted ourselves in what we will always call our church home, Immaculate Conception Church. It was here where my light foundation was strengthened. Although I was Confirmed as an adult, I still only had a basic understanding of God, faith and prayer. The more I got involved at church and with other people who encouraged me to know God, the more I started to understand who God created me to be. This was the beginning.
Where I See God Now
Life is a journey. I am on it. His presence has been with me through it all whether or not I realized it. He was waiting for me. He was inviting me into a relationship with Him. Through all of the struggles and setbacks, he was there. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (usccb.org) Finally, I learned to see God in everything, to see the good, the potential and to share this vision with others.
I see God everywhere. He is in my family and with my family. God is present in the people I meet and in the people who have stayed in my life. He is in new opportunities as well as in the challenges and achievements. As I write this, TobyMac’s song, “Everything,” comes to mind. God is in everything! I am still working on my surrender, but He is with me, giving me strength and wisdom, love and encouragement and a purpose!
Embracing the Gift of Becoming
Things, my purpose, are becoming more clear to me as I embrace not just who I was, but who I am becoming. I am who God created me to be. I am embracing the process of becoming while deepening my relationship with God. Who am I? First, I am a child of God. I am a daughter, a sister, a cousin, a friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an employee, a business owner, an author, a speaker, a coach and I am still becoming. I am becoming to fill my purpose just like Matthew 28:19-20 instructs us, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (usccb.org)
Your Encouragement to Becoming
You, along with everyone else, were created with unique gifts and talents to build and support the Kingdom. There is no one like you! Know that your story matters. You may have an experience that someone else can relate to or learn from. Your experience, your story, need to be shared. Share God and share Jesus. Don’t worry about readiness. God is working in your life, too! You have a purpose to fulfill. It has your name on it! Embrace becoming who God created you to be. Pray about it. Let’s begin embracing becoming with this prayer:
Lord, thank You for every year, every lesson, every gift and every challenge.
Thank you for creating me and providing love, support and encouragement to become the person You created me to be.
Keep my eyes open, my mind impartial and my heart altruistic.
Thank You for the resources and people You have given me for my journey of becoming.
I ask for continued guidance to become the person You created me to be.
In Jesus’ Name I pray.
Amen.
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