Identity Protection

Tuesday, after the ladies Bible study at church, I had lunch with a friend at Burger King in Madison. I paid for our lunches and sat my purse down in the booth, with Aron and my friend, and took Ivan to the restroom.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary when we returned. My friend was getting our food at the counter and Aron was in his seat. We chatted through lunch, gathered up our things and I drove my friend home and then made the rest of the trip to our own house. Ivan fell asleep on the way and Aron was exhausted.

When we got in the house I laid them both down and looked in my purse for my wallet. I wanted to get some cash out and put it in an envelope for Owen to take to school to pay for some upcoming events. Only...my wallet wasn't there. I searched and searched, pulled everything out, ran to the van looked all through the area up front. No wallet. I felt the color draining from my face. I immediately e-mailed Kris just to prepare him for the worst. I felt sure that our lunch at BK was to blame but I wasn't sure when it happened. I pulled up two websites. One for Burger King, so that I could call them, and one I googled, "wallet lost what to do" and centered the page on the list of numbers to call. Before I started calling authorities I wanted to make sure it wasn't at BK anymore. I couldn't get through. I tried calling 4, 5, 6 times. Busy. Busy. Busy. Ugh. I was falling into desperation. I couldn't even imagine a scenario where my credit card, my social security card and my cash were going to be back in my purse within any reasonable time. I totally believed that it had either been stolen, or it was dropped and cleaned out by now. I felt tears coming. Not today I thought. I just had a bad day yesterday...it's not fair to have two in a row.

I started to really feel sorry for myself, but as I was bowing to it I was reminded that I was losing my joy. Hmmm. What was it that our teacher said? "It's a choice." I guess it's time to start choosing. I sat up a little straighter, took a deep breath and started talking. I told Satan he can't have my joy and then I asked God to step in. I prayed protection over my identity and my assets. I felt better. I picked up the phone again and GOT THROUGH. The very helpful voice on the other end of the line was able to find my wallet in mere moments and locked it in an office until I could get there. I got the boys out of bed and drove back to Madison, to retrieve my wallet, claiming it's complete contents as I went. When I got there, the young man who had taken my call handed me my wallet and as I opened it I was all smiles to see my cards, my license, everything...even my cash was still there.

Wednesday morning I was praying about some issues that seem to want to linger in my heart and mind. There was a circumstance recently that caused me to feel offended and hurt by someone who isn't a particularly close friend of mine but her actions and words hurt none the less. I realized how the two situations, the lost wallet and the offensive friend, parallel. When I lost my wallet I was afraid. I wasn't afraid I would never see my wallet again. I was afraid that I would lose what was in it, my identity and my assets. When another person chooses to abuse us or think ill toward us it isn't our outer flesh that is hurt it is something inside. We become fearful. We don't fear a scar to our flesh...it is something far greater that we are afraid of. We fear losing the face of our identity and the access to our assets. What if we aren't the person we thought we were and instead are the person they seem to think we are? What if we lose our ability to hold the trust of others because of what this person thinks of us?

The pain of someone's false accusations, deceptive words or unnecessary vengeance toward us is hard to bear. It may be the result of a misunderstanding, an ill timed joke, a seemingly harmless comment that struck a chord with someone and brought offense. It could be real dislike, jealousy or an inability to find common ground with someone that produces a rift and regrettable actions. Whatever it is, there will always be people who do not like us, who refuse to think well of us and who sometimes tell other people what they think of us. We can't change it, believe me I've tried. I don't like it when people don't like me. I'm a nice person dog-gone-it, I work hard at being nice. If they don't like me, they need to try harder. It doesn't seem to matter that I don't like them...as long as they like me, that's what matters.

But it doesn't matter. Just like my wallet story I'm trying to protect my identity but it's already protected. My true identity is IN CHRIST. In that identity, I am completely sealed and my assets are untouchable. I cannot be lost, stolen or misunderstood and in Christ, when I am spoken ill of, it is against Him that my adversary must take up their offense.

Wednesday morning I read these words from Isaiah 54:17
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."

My true value and my worth is in the potential of my identity, which as a Christian is now His identity. My position and assets are completely and totally the sum of what He has brought into the relationship. I am a child of God and a joint heir with Christ, therefore my value is protected by an all loving God because I am identified as His. Anything that comes against me, is coming against the Lord Himself and must be condemned.

You too, are a completely chosen, purchased, redeemed and desired child of God. You have immeasurable value because of your untouchable identity in Christ. You have assets and blessings that cannot be contained or counted because your Maker is your abundant supply. He has you covered. Don't let one person's words, or actions cut into your opinion toward yourself. Allow God to show you who He is and then remember how deeply cradled in that identity you are. No weapon, no words, no anger, no bitterness, no thoughtlessness or judgment, formed against you can prosper because you are securely identified as a servant of the Lord and your righteousness, your value, your goodness and your potential is of Him.

Now, we need to live and love like we believe that.

The Distaff Side

This weekend we took a look at our feminine selves. We did not require mirrors, make-up, fashion or shoe shopping to embrace this creation we are realizing and we did not require anything of anyone else in the process. Not one man had to be emasculated for us to be realize our worth. Not one model had to be scrutinized in order for us to see our own beauty.

We stepped up to the foot of the cross and once more accepted the gift, and this time, we're keeping it.

A few summary thoughts from the weekend:
We are created to exemplify the heart of God.
We were not just formed, we were beautifully fashioned.
We have a purpose as women that only a woman can fulfill.
Vulnerability is a strength.
Cleaning under the hinge covers on our toilet seats is gross, but a good idea.
A tube sock on a yard stick will clean under the fridge.
Husbands are gifts that don't need fixing.
Children need fixing.
Gentleness and condescension in us, can produce greatness in our husbands.
Our souls have been restored.
We should pray more.
Our dreams should come from the dining room, not from the basement.

I'm sure there are more thoughts that could be included. These are the ones that most impacted me. Your comments should include what most impacted you.

Love you all.