Tag Archives: identity in Christ

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I’ve been an Alan Jackson fan since the early nineties when I started High School. My sophomore year, a soon to be boyfriend won a much coveted autographed Alan Jackson sweatshirt. Much to the other girls’ jealousy he gave it to me. Though I knew little about Alan Jackson I became an instant fan. I grew up in the country listening to Johnny Cash, Tom T. Hall, and George Jones eight tracks with my dad. Those are some of my fondest memories. Songs about porches and pastures take me back to those simple days.

Though I grew to love many of Alan Jackson’s songs, this post is not about Alan Jackson. It’s about his wife, Denise. Several years ago I received her autobiography titled It’s All About Him. I love autobiographies, as I see them as an invitation to snoop; or put more politely an opportunity to climb inside one’s head to see how they view their life experiences.

Upon reading Denise’s autobiography I was in shock at how similar our life experiences were. She and Alan were High School sweethearts as Jason and I were. You can sense her admiration for her husband as she talks about his accomplishments early on in their relationship. She talks of standing proudly right behind him; gladly following him in his endeavors, willing to be merely his shadow.

A different part in her story comes when she shares darker years in her marriage. After separating, feeling lost and alone, she searched for something to fill the large void now apparently present. She started going back to her roots; back to her faith. Through a re-newed faith in Christ she began to put the broken pieces of her life back together. Filled with the presence of God she became someone quite vibrant, near unrecognizable to her husband who before had to glance behind his broad shoulders to glimpse her. She became the woman she feels God intended for her to be all along.

Though Jason and I have suffered no real difficulties in our marriage, it hasn’t been perfect—just as no marriage is. I, like Denise, have found myself looking to Jason to be my all in all. Though I am a Christian, I remember times when I completely put the burden on him to help me feel beautiful, secure, capable, and lovable; I could go on and on. I spent many years being emotionally high maintenance expecting him to constantly “fix-it”. Jason is an awesome husband. I’ve not been paid to say that. He is truly a wonderful man who supplies every need a husband is intended to fill. The problem was that I was looking for Jason to fill needs that only God is intended to fill. I believe I have grown stronger as I have better learned that Jesus is my all in all. Sure there’s still room for improvement so pray for me.

I would love to tell you the ending of the book, but I’ll give you the chance to read this two thumbs-up book for yourself. Are you someone who depends on the affirmation from others? Or do you find yourself living vicariously through your children or in the shadow of your husband? In those times remember this; “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. –Psalm 91:1 After all, it’s in His shadow that we glow most brightly!

I’m sure you can find It’s All about Him at any bookstore. You can also check it out at

www.amazon.com

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 I haven’t always loved my name.  I can remember being in middle school hanging out during basketball tournaments or participating in UIL and using an opportunity to change my name.  “Hey! I’m Courtney” I’d lie.  My friends and I would change our names as we introduced ourselves to kids from other schools.  It was fun going incognito and it gave me a chance to be whoever I wanted to be, if just for a moment.

     Though I may not have always loved my name, I LOVE seeing my name.  Nothing thrills me more than seeing my name on envelopes (unless it’s a bill), in the newspaper, on a birthday cake, and I especially love seeing my name on presents wrapped and topped off with a bow.  Who’s with me?  I remember one really cool gift my mom gave me when I was around the age of nine.  She gave me a box full of brightly-colored pencils with the name Kristi Fowler engraved on each one.  I felt so special. 

      Your name was especially thought-out and was probably called out before you were even born.  Names identify who you are.  When I am downstairs at home I can call out, “Hey youngest child wearing the strawberry shirt, come down here.”  Or I could just say “Rylie, come down”.   Names have been used throughout history to show to whom someone belongs.  Jason’s Papa had the last name of Knudson.  It showed that Jason’s Papa was the “son” of Knud.  As I used my name-labeled pencils at school, there was no mistaking who these pencils belonged to.   So what does your name show about who you are?  More importantly, what does your name say about “whose” you are? 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,

 write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name.  Proverbs 3:3-4

     Have you ever had your teacher send an important note home attached to your shirt or rolled up and made into a bracelet bound around your wrist?  Teachers often will do this when they have an important message that they want to make sure is noticed.  Read verse three again.  How can you bind love and faithfulness around your neck so that it never leaves you?  I can only think of one way.  If I, with all of the goodness within me, try to love and try to be faithful I may do pretty well some of the time.  But only Jesus is truly love.  And only He is always faithful.  Jesus IS Love.  Jesus IS Faithfulness.  When it says write them on the tablet of your heart, we need to remember that the only way to be love and to be faithful is by having Jesus in your heart.  Not just in the corner.  Let him fill your heart.  Allow Jesus to be on every page and on every line of your heart-tablet spilling over to the margins.  Remember that learning who Jesus is and spending time with him is how we come to be more like him.  When Jesus is written in our hearts, I believe he graces our neck and adorns our wrist. Then people on the outside can see him too.

     With Jesus in our hearts and on our sleeve we assuredly have a good name.  A name better than Kristi or Courtney.  Verse four also tells us that with Jesus we have won favor.  The one who has known my name since the beginning of time has approved me as a daughter of the King and an ambassador to the world. And I have a message.  My name is Kristi, but I must tell you.  I belong to Jesus.

 

*FYI-The picture is a name jumble from wordle with the names of the girls in our GG's group.

Thanks to Josette Hughes for making the word jumble.