Children of God

Recently, I started a new job. Upon meeting my co-workers, the conversation started and ended as most first encounters do: with a barrage of getting-to-know-you questions. “Where did you work before? Are you married? How many kids do you have? Do you live locally?” These seemingly innocent questions, consciously or unconsciously, define us with worldly labels.

Our work history infers our level of education and may even hint at our socioeconomic status. Married or unmarried status can be a source of contention, especially for women of a certain age. Asking if we live locally is an unsuspecting way to uncover if someone lives on the “right” side of town.

Long before the recent political fodder of childless cat women, I learned how to protect my heart when responding to questions about children. To preempt hurtful giggles about being a cat mom, I kindly yet seriously respond, “Most people laugh when I tell them that I am a cat mom.” My words elicit the desired response – instead of laughter, they acknowledge my vulnerability. Other times, I say, “I was not blessed with children.” This usually prevents insensitive follow-up inquiries.

These brief introductory exchanges focus solely on worldly labels. As such, it barely scratches the surface of the label that I treasure the most. A woman of God. 1 John 3:1, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” The world does not know the Father, so it is no wonder that few of the get-to-know-you questions revolve around faith.

The world cares about my address, degree, work experience, and family status. There was a time in my life when I cared about those things, too, but today, they are way down on the list of what matters to me.

My identity in Christ is what matters. So, the next time that I have the pleasure of meeting someone new and they ask what I do for a living, I will preempt worldly labels by stating, “I am a follower of Jesus, a Christian author, Sunday school teacher, women’s ministry team member, church usher, cat mom, foster care advocate, houseplant enthusiast, and sushi connoisseur.” This is the label that matters most.

The world tries to define us through man-made labels. Paul reminds us not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Not only do I seek to renew my mind, but I also seek to steer those get-to-know questions so the world knows that I am one of the many who are called children of God.

May God keep you and bless you,

Tika