What happened here?

“Who are you?” I ask aloud to no one but myself. You see, I’m in a hurry, juggling multiple items in my arms, slipping my toes blindly under the shoe bench to grab my flip flops. Did I mention I’m running late? Now, out the door, arms unloaded, into the driver’s seat, turn on the car, apply force to the accelerator. Why do my toes feel funny? 

Finally, I pause long enough to look down and discover a left shoe, and not a flip flop, on my right foot! How did I get all the way into the driver’s seat without noticing this obvious mistake? Turning around, I return to the shoe bench, trust my eyes, and find the right flip flop for my right foot. It’s a good way to start the day, laughing at my silliness. 

This incident reminds me of who I am, really. I am His. Created in His image. Following Jesus as my guide. Using the brain God gave me to choose wisely, and to turn around when I’ve made a mistake. Using the arms He gave me to embrace and love others. Using the feet He gave me to go into the world. And using the mouth He gave me to say aloud, “I am, and will always be a child of God.” 

It doesn’t matter whether you and I are six or sixty-two years old. We need to know who we are. 

May I suggest, you and I only find out who we are when we discover whose we are? Our security and our identity is given by the one who designed us and gave us choices. He allows us to make mistakes and also invites us to run back to Him. 

When we make mistakes, silly ones or awful ones, He’s right there behind us. Ever near, He waits for us to turn around. He helps us find the right shoes. He laughs with us, cries with us, and hugs us with His great big loving arms. He renews our hearts, pats us on the back, and says, “Keep going. I’m here.”

Who are you? Are you His or do you choose to belong to yourself? Each one of us makes the choice. Here’s what I can tell you from the perspective of a lifetime of both silly and awful mistakes. I’m the best me when I remember I’m His. 

Turn around, my friends. A Loving Father is right there. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). 

1 thought on “What happened here?”

  1. What a beautiful, truth filled post. Oh Elaine, I ❤️ you a bushel and a peck and a {{HUG}} around the neck!

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