Authenticity - by Anna

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Authenticity –

So before I write on a topic I should likely know what the word means – according to the dictionary – being real or genuine: not copied or false; true and accurate: made to be or look like an original. Well, being true, real, genuine, and original; how do I live that? I guess the first thing would be to figure out who I am? I am a 45 year old woman who has just started to realize that her body is getting a little bit older – the eyes have a hard time reading small print and the digestive tract has some health issues that are being worked on. I am a Mom to three wonderful teenage boys that stretch and challenge me each and every day. I am a bus driver. I am an office assistant. I am a custodian. I am a sister. I am a friend. Up until a couple years ago I was a wife. This change in my life has led me to question many many things about who I am and what I am all about. And so… I look for something that is not fleeting. My 45 year old body – failing, my boys will eventually move out on their own – sure I will be their Mom but not in the same sense that I was 5 years ago even. I could lose my job at anytime, and then who does that leave me to be? Who am I and how do I know that I am being true to me?

Who am I? Praise the Lord that there is another aspect of my life – one that is constant, ever faithful, never changing. I am a Christian. I am a daughter of the KING. I am a Princess Warrior. I am loved. I am forgiven. I am blessed. And it is in this spiritual part of my life where I have started to see the true me. God made me an original, one of a kind, unique individual. God has placed me in my life exactly where I am in the situation that I find myself in and HE alone will give me the strength, courage, and peace to make it through each and every day.

It is by focusing on HIM that I am able to be the truest version of myself. What a great relief! It is not up to my own will and devises. God has a plan and a purpose for me and I am grateful to be living this life giving HIM all praise and glory.

How am I going to be authentic to me? To the person that God has created? By studying HIS word. By surrounding myself with strong Christian women and men who can council me when I find myself unsure of who I am. By stretching myself just a little bit – being willing to take chances that in the past I would not have taken – because maybe just maybe that chance will be an awesome  growing experience that I would not want to have missed out on (thus my writing today – being open and vulnerable to you.)

And so the journey begins….


Blessings to you all, Anna.

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 13, 2018 at 10:01 AM

    beautiful writing Anna! thanks for sharing! The journey that you share is one that I can relate to, having to find myself again after something big changes in my life. Your writing reminds me of the importance of surrounding ourselves with good people who can remind us of who we are when we forget. God has wired us for community for good reason - to help us live an authentic and congruent life.

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  2. UnknownJanuary 14, 2018 at 11:08 PM

    Beautiful, Anna. So much wonderful insight. Hugs...

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  3. Danielle ZJanuary 25, 2018 at 6:47 PM

    Thanks for sharing Anna. So much of my energy and identity really has gone into my new career. It’s so easy to loss focus on who we are outside of all that. Reading you writing has ignited a passion for me to dig deeper into who I am in Christ. Thank you! Danielle

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