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“I am nothing more than my worst moment.”
Henri J.M. Nouwen, Five Lies of Identity

It was August 16 … a few weeks ago. I experienced a worst moment that morning!

I am not tech savvy and on August 16th, it was obvious. Computer frustration reared its ugly head a-GAIN!

Computer frustration is not good for Echoes of Grace.
Computer frustration is not good for my patience.
Computer frustration is not good for my relationship with my husband.

I have Henri Nouwen’s Five Lies recorded in my journal. When I turned that page that morning, I realized … and I smiled (really) … I knew I was buying into lie #4 (above) and it was threatening my identity.

“And we know that for those who love God
all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (italics mine)

This very familiar truth stopped me in my tracks. It forced me to ask, what is the good in this situation.

“… I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”
Jeremiah 31:3

You know now, I don’t remember the root of my frustration that morning.
I do remember God’s faithfulness to me.
I do remember God gave me a glimpse of the good.

My computer frustration wasn’t the bottom line. It was a symptom that needed to be dealt with.

I really wanted to prove my worth with my words, a-GAIN. I needed the computer to cooperate.

Once a-GAIN I prayed, God, what would it look like to trust your goodness right now? What does your faithfulness look like?

God’s whisper, his answer came immediately. Even if your computed doesn’t do what you expect, what you desire, your identity is not in jeopardy! You, Sue, are my beloved child. It’s my purpose that needs to be communicated, not yours.

” (God,) who saved us and called us to a holy calling,
not because of our works
but because of his own purpose and grace,
which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
II Timothy 1:9 (italics & underline mine)

Deep breath.
Thankful that God knows me, and claims me as his child.
Thankful for God’s purpose and plan that I can rest in.

Is there something that is threatening your child of God identity today? I’d love to pray for you.

Copyright: Sue Tell, September 2024