Some days I toil to be worthy. I am a woman at a time where every tip, idea, and thought is at my fingertips. I know my identity, however, and I know who I am in Jesus. But I also know a lot of information on how to be a great wife, a great mother, a better cook, how to potty train in one day (which may be possible, but not here), to eat whole foods for 30 days, to make any and everything, and to do it all while having perfect contouring makeup on my face. I know who I am, but I also know that some part of me thinks I need to know and be all of those things too.
Let me correct myself: part of me does truly want to know some of those things I mentioned. Part of me loves great makeup, great food (actually, a huge part of me loves great food), the art of creating, eating well, being a mom, and being a wife. All of those things are part of me. But that also isn’t my concern. All of those things have no meaning without Jesus.
I have never experienced unwelcome feelings because I am a woman. I have never felt that my gender was a hindrance in my identity, hopes, or dreams. I have never felt that my womanhood was in jeopardy, and praise the Lord for that, especially in a world where women are still victimized, belittled, objectified. I know who I am. Especially, who I am in the eyes of Jesus. Do you, sister? Do you know?
I love what this modern world has to offer. I love what the Internet allows me to learn. But what I want to love more is the deep, real meaning of my life. First, before I am a wife, before I am a mom, before I am a friend, sister, daughter, I belong to a King. I am redeemed by a Savior. I am washed in precious blood, seen as perfection in the eyes of my Father. I have “duties” here in my house, I got stuff to do. But I won’t step a foot into those roles before I jump into the greatness, the glory of being who I am in Christ. What matters is Jesus. What matters is diving into how I can be greater, better, holier because of Christ. All other things fall after. All of the meals, the crafts, the cleaning, the everyday mom, wife, woman I am. Nothing else holds meaning until Jesus holds the day.
Do you know who you are, sister? Do you know what Jesus hopes for you? I doubt it’s all the ambitions you set for a great house, great cooking, clean floors, wonderful, perfect potty-trained-in-one-day children. I know you mean well. But forget a moment about what so many others may have to say, or what you have to say about yourself. Know what Jesus has to say about you. Let everything else fall into place after.
JANELLE DELAGRANGE 