Top

Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Uniquely You!

Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are or why you do things the way you do? I remember all the way back to Jr. High feeling like I didn’t really like who I was. I’d compare myself to those around me and try to figure out who people liked most, so I could be like them. It was exhausting!

I want to to talk a little more today about something I shared in my devotion, “The Real Me” featured at Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk. The journey God’s taken me on to become the woman He created me to be has totally changed my life, and all of my relationships, for the better. I hope I can encourage you today with somethings I’ve learned.

First of all, comparison can be my worst enemy. My friend Genia summed it up well one day when we were talking about it. She said, “When we compare ourselves with someone else, we can never measure up because we compare our insides with their outsides.”

She’s right. I usually compare how I feel on the inside with how someone else looks like they have it all together on the outside. Paul talks about the comparison trap in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “but when they measure themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.”

Comparison leaves us confused and discontent. It causes us to compete with each other but God never intended for women to compete with each other; He wants us to complete one another. Seriously, He wants us to encourage each others’ strengths and then be who He created us to be.

Paul explains why in 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, “But now God has placed the parts, each one of them in the body just as He wanted. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? Now there are many parts, yet one body.”

The truth is: You are uniquely you because God has a unique purpose for your life. God created you with a unique personality because you play an important role in the story He’s writing in your life. You are “God’s masterpiece…created anew in Christ so that [you] can do the good things He planned for [you] long ago.” Ephesians 2:10, (NLT)

There are certain thing He wants to do through your life and that is why He gave you a personality that is one-of-a-kind! In her book, Personality Plus, Florence Littauer describes four personality types. Most of us are a blend of two. See if you can relate to the desires and emotional needs of one or two of these:

Phlegmatic: Desires PEACE
Needs times of quiet, reduced stress, feeling of worth, relaxation

Choleric: Desires CONTROL
Needs appreciation for achievements, opportunity for leadership, and participation in decisions

Sanguine: Desires FUN
Needs attention, affection, approval, activity with people

Melancholy: Desire PERFECTION
Needs sensitivity, stability, support, space, silence

  • Which personality best describes you?
  • What are your greatest strengths? What are things you think you need to work on?
  • What challenges do you face in discovering your unique “you”?

Click on the word “Comments” below to share thoughts or questions. If you don’t have a blog, click on anonymous, then leave your name and email to be part of a drawing I’ll do this weekend to give away a copy of “Shaped with Purpose : A Practical Guide for Discovering Who You Are” Workbook and CD.

Each comment will be entered for the give-away so be sure to include your email in your comment, and I’d love to know your age and where you’re from.

Discover more from Renee Swope

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Comments

  1. I wrote a comment earlier but looking through everything that has been written now, isn't it good to see those of us who are not young, I am 57, still learning about the love and faithfulness of God? He simply never stops!

    No matter who we are, what our lives have contained this far, and how deep the mess is, God has a way through it all. Jesus is the Way!!

    [email protected]
    Above is my email, as requested. I am from the UK but presently living in Lima Peru.

  2. Oh your devotion brought tears to my eyes this morning! Thank you for your honesty. I am 51 next week and have not been working full time for the past 15 years. I have focussed on getting my two kids through a very messy divorce, death of their dearly loved grandmothers and the roller coaster ride that is the teenage years! In that time God has given me a wonderful Godly second husband and two great step children.. We have also adopted twin girls who are now in their teens. As a child I dreamed of having six children but biologically I was not able to have them. God has given them to me in a way I probably wouldn't have chosen as a young person(you know who wants the pain of divorce?). I was wrestling with this very question of purpose, the other day and as I went outside to get some more wood for the fire God revealed to me that this is the season of my life and I am to enjoy it and rest in it. He will reveal to me what further assignments He has in his good time. I am so used to feeling like a facilitator( wind beneath their wings kinda thing) for everyone elses life that I some times, like others, question if I am in God's purpose for my life. I hope and pray that God reveals to us all what it is He wants for us. Why is it that we feel that we must be on the treadmill of career/ministry to feel fulfilled? Our ministry is sometimes in the small things. Smiling at the checkout chic/guy, finding something to brighten the day of the bank teller or being gracious to those who are difficult. I wrestle with this daily as I am sure do others.
    I am so glad you gave us this devotion today. It has given me much to think about… God Bless you and the team a P31.
    Jo from Australia [email protected]

  3. Wow! God is so good. This post and the p31 devotional come at a time in my life (at 42) where I am starting over. I was in an abusive relationship for over 20 years and have realized since being saved that God made me for a reason, and I have been trying to shake off the past and move ahead into the life he has planned for me. I am so blessed having read this and found your blog. Thank you so much for sharing your heart Renee' God bless you. Teresa: [email protected]

  4. IT IS SO GOOD TO KNOW THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE, I WAS BEGINNING TO THINK MAYBE THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME IM 49 AND WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I HAD TO HAVE HAD DREAMS AND PASSIONS OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO AND BE. BUT I CANT SEEM TO RECALL THEM, I ALWAYS KNEW OF GOD BUT NEVER LIVED MY LIFE FOR HIM, TILL I GAVE MY LIFE TO JESUS 5 YEARS AGO. I HAVE A NEW BEGINNING AND I HAVE ASK THE LORD TO HELP ME RECALL WHAT I WANTED TO BE AND DO. I HAVE ALSO ASK THE LORD IF THE DREAMS I HAD WAS NOT WHAT HE HAD FOR ME, THAT HE WOULD PLACE NEW DREAMS AND PASSIONS WITHIN ME, WHAT HE DESIRE FOR ME TO DO NOT WHAT I WANT BUT WHAT HE WANTS. I KNOW IN HIS TIME AND WHEN HE KNOWS IM READY FOR WHAT HE HAS IN STORE FOR ME, HE WILL PLACE THAT NEW DREAM INSIDE OF ME.THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN OF OTHERS AND YOUR WORK IN THE LORD. GOD BLESS YOUR MINISTRY ABUNDANTLY

  5. I read your devotional posted on Crosswalk's Encouragement for Today. I had the privilege of getting to hear Florence Littauer speak at a church "Women's Conference" in 1996. If I remember correctly, Phlegmatic is my personality type. Looking forward to reading more of your blog post. I just recently started a blogsite. It has helped me through my grieving process after the loss of my son, last December. I am so glad I came across your site.

    Sandy @ beachgirl77blogspot.com

  6. I was comforted today when I read this. I was sure that I was the only 35 year -old who did not know what she wants to be when she grows up.I would love to read some material that would help me discover who I am , and I will also seek this from the Lord . Thank you , Angela [email protected]

  7. Wow, I didn't know I had so much company. I am 57 years old, divorced twice, no children, no career, at present on disability for mental/emotional issues, living with a friend from church because my house was demolished after Hurricane Katrina and I am waiting and waiting and waiting on a Parish Program for a house, grant/loan. I have no clue who I am, but the older I am getting, the more frightening and devastating this realization is becoming. I feel useless, even though I know in my heart the Lord has good plans for me. All toughout my life I made bad choices and it seems the chickens are coming home to roost! I am seeking Him for answers and a closer walk…and He is taking His time. I am hanging onto Trust the Lord…and learning patience…having not yet succeeded in being content in all circumstances! I guess I must be REALLY special, since God is taking so long to give me a clue! Hang in there, gang…God will outdo anything we could even have imagined, so great things are coming for us and He will be glorified. Love y'all, Elizabeth

  8. For the past month, I've been asking the Lord for His direction for my life now that my youngest will be leaving for college next month. I have never felt so lost and unsure of myself as I do right now. I've spent my life taking care of everyone else, trying to please everyone, serving others, sacrificing because I felt it was what God wanted me to do. And after reading your devotion, I felt God's tenderness embrace me. My heart was about to explode because I could totally relate. I thank God for bringing this to my attention. My prayer is that I will seek Him with my whole heart and allow Him to reveal to me His purpose and plan for my life.

  9. Like so many before me I want to thank you for opening this topic up for discussion. As my kids move on to becoming the adults I have always prayed them to be I am left wondering "OK now what am I going to do?" Your blog has greatly inspired me to not just sit around waiting on God strike me with a plan but to be diligent with what He has given me until the next step is revealed.

    Amy
    [email protected]

  10. I am going to turn 40 this October and your devotion has touched me right where I am! I, like you, have struggled with and still don't know the "real Me". I've always compared myself and still do! Thank you for writing on this subject that is so true for so many! I pray God will help me find who I'm supposed to be through Him.

  11. Thanks for this devotion today. I am 23 years old. I know that I am young but just graduated from college with a degree in Child and family studies which i probably will never use. I do not know what my purpose is and sometimes feel like I am the person other people went me to be. I want to be what Christ has made me to be but I am having a hard time finding Who God made me to be and the purpose he has for me and my life

  12. I really enjoyed this devotion. I often times comepare myself to the outside of others and it is so true that I will never measure up. I am not completely sure in the woman that God made me to be but I definitely want to find out. As I was reading the four personality types I felt like I needed all of them?!? (very confusing) How can I discover my strengths? How can I pull them out when I have trouble just identifying my strengths?
    [email protected]

  13. I feel like this devotional was written just for me. I need to take the time to look and pray for what God wants for my life. Thank you for writing this.

  14. WOW! I am so excited I stumbled upon you today. I read the proverbs 31 devotional daily. God has really been working on me in this area of finding myself and loving myself. It is a hard pill to swallow. Your words hit home and were reaffirming to what I have been thinking and searching for. I have been a stay at home Mom for 4 years and I lost myself in the boys and put myself and my dreams and desires out of my mind. I have been thinking about what can I do, what will I do to make a difference when they go to school. I have been seeking God and searching for resources to help me on this journey.
    Again just thrilled to stumble upon your loving and encouraging words. I will now be a loyal follower. I am 33 and live in Biloxi, MS. [email protected]

  15. I loved this devo today Renee! My 5 year old son asked me one day what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told him that was a good question 🙂 I am 34 and I never really knew what I wanted to be. Even now if I had to go back to work I don't know what I would want to "do." I know my passion is for other women to know freedom in Christ and who God made them to be. I know that I love reading my Bible and praying and studying God's Word. It is a deep passion of mine. I seek God everyday for His purpose for me and I know that He is leading me. I am starting to teach a Sunday school class this fall using one of Lysa T's book and I know this is only the beginning. I have a heart on fire for God and I know He is leading me into His purpose and plan for me life!

    God Bless Renee, what a wonderful ministry this is!

    Brandee, TN
    [email protected]

  16. Love this minsty. This spoke to my heart today. I'm 37yrs. old and dreading 40. I read the different personalities still could'nt tell
    you which one is me. I have always been a people pleaser and am starting to struggle w/ burn out.
    I'm praying to just learn about me as I learn more about God. I Thank
    God for your encouragement everyday.

  17. Gosh, did this one ever hit a nerve in so many of us! I definitely fall into 2 of the personality traits, 1 more dominant than the other. At 56, I have spent a lot of time wondering who I am and what I should be doing. I must admit that as I look back at my life, I missed a lot of the good times with my children as they were growing up by obsessing on what the world considered success in my career. Striving for and taking a job with more money, more responsibility, and more acclaim at the expense of time with my children. And all of a sudden, they were grown and gone and those special times could not be recreated. Experience is truly the best teacher but some lessons are learned at a high cost. I still struggle with finding balance but I now look to God to help me instead of trying to do it all on my own.

    Thanks, Renee, for sharing your life so openly. What a blessing you are!

  18. I love this devotion today, I am 27 and I don't know what my dreams are. I want to know who I am in Christ to be used for His glory. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm going to start praying for Jesus to show me who I am in His eyes and help me to become that person.

  19. I love this devotion today, I am 27 and I don't know what my dreams are. I want to know who I am in Christ to be used for His glory. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm going to start praying for Jesus to show me who I am in His eyes and help me to become that person.

  20. Hi Renee, I'm 32 and feel alot like you did at this age! Comparing my inner self to others on the outside. What an awesome devotion today. Thanks for reminding me of God's unique and special plan for MY life – His truth is freeing. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

    Margaret~ [email protected]

Uniquely You

My devotion “The Real Me” is featured today at Proverbs 31 website and Crosswalk. If you found my blog through my devotion, I am so glad you stopped by. The journey God’s taken me on to become the woman He created me to be has totally changed my life – and all of my relationships – for the better. I hope I can encourage you with what I’ve learned.

Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are, or why you do things the way you do? From the time I was in Jr. High, I didn’t really like who I was, so I compared myself to those around me and tried to figure out who people liked the most, so I could be like them. It was exhausting!

I am convinced that comparison is our worst enemy. My friend Genia summed it up best when she said, “When I compare myself with someone else, I can never measure up because I am comparing my insides with their outsides.” Isn’t it easy to compare how we feel on the inside with how someone else looks like they have it all together on the outside? Paul talks about the comparison trap in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “but when they measure themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.”

Comparison leaves us confused and discontent. It causes us to compete with each other but no one wins! God never intended for women to compete with each other; He wants us to complete one another. We need to encourage each other’s strengths and be who God created us to be. Paul explains why in 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, “But now God has placed the parts, each one of them in the body just as He wanted. And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? Now there are many parts, yet one body.”

You are uniquely you for your unique God-shaped purpose. We are all “God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”Ephesians 2:10, (NLT) God created you with a unique personality because you play an important role in the story He’s been writing since the beginning of time. There are certain thing He wants to do through your life and that is why He gave you a personality that is one-of-a-kind!

In her book, Personality Plus, Florence Littauer describes four personality types. See if you can relate to the desires and emotional needs of one or two of these:

Phlegmatic: Desires PEACE
Needs times of quiet, reduced stress, feeling of worth, relaxation

Choleric: Desires CONTROL
Needs appreciation for achievements, opportunity for leadership, and participation in decisions

Sanguine: Desires FUN
Needs attention, affection, approval, activity with people

Melancholy: Desires PERFECTION
Needs sensitivity, stability, support, space, silence

  • Which personality best describes you?
  • What are your greatest strengths? What are things you think you need to work on?
  • What challenges do you face in discovering your unique “you”?

Click on the word “Comments” below to share thoughts or questions. Or simply leave your name and email to be part of a drawing I’ll do this weekend to give away a copy of my CD and Workbook, Shaped with Purpose: A Practice Guide for Discovering Who You Are.

Each comment will be entered for the give-away so be sure to include your email.

Discover more from Renee Swope

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Comments

  1. Hey Renee & others, I believe I am a Sanguine Choleric. This best describes who I have been and who I continue to become. The Real Me is scary to me and to others to be honest with you but I’m so glad that you highlighted on your blog that God has a unique thing that He wants to accomplish in my life and the best thing to do is to just be who I was made to be. I also find that if we as women don’t become more comfortable with who we are, it becomes even harder for others to accept us. The real us is always on the inside looking out wondering if it’s ok to come out. If it’s ok to be genuine. Each time I am genuine, it seems like it’s still not good enough. But God gives me favor and helps me see that if I am genuine with His love in dealing with people, then He will accept me, my words, thoughts, and comments. That to me is the best part about being Me. God loves me just the way that I am and He specializes in helping me become better than what I am now. Aimy

  2. thanks renee,
    it is amazing to me how we can feel so alone through this but just browsing the comments we see this is common among so many woman… thank you for sharing your journey to help us along on ours… k.g.

  4. Renee…..Thank you, thank you. What a blessing this devotional was to my heart. I signed up on Christianity.com for the Proverbs 31 devotional and your amazing devotional was the first one to land in my inbox! What a blessing.

    The Lord is amazing. Not unlike many others I have spoken to; He seems to reveal important personal issues to me in 3’s. Your devotional was 2 of the 3. It was so incredible to see the Lord hand over 3 of the same basic message to me in a matter of 1 week.

    It all started with my current study “What Every Mom Needs”…the second chapter entitled, “Identity” was the beginning of this journey I wasn’t even aware I needed to take. Then came your devo and finally this past weekend I attended the DNA of Relationships marriage conference and was hit with a session on “Caring For Self”.

    HELLOOOO!!!! Could God make it any clearer that His will is for me to get to work on figuring out who I am and tapping into that. I learned that I cannot effectively take care of all those I have been trying to take care of until I have taken care of myself.

    YOOHOO to God…..I cannot wait to take this journey with Him.

    Thanks again for your timely words!

  5. hi Regee,
    i did go though your article on proverbs 31 Ministries regarding the Real Me.
    I am a melancholy and i write christian songs and i also love to design. Right now i do not know what to do.
    Pls i would really love your advice.

    uche

  6. This is for all of the precious women who are going through a tough time of transition: Hang in there!

    God has given you the desire to find your purpose and He will tell you! Just be patient while whole-heartedly searching Him and He will answer you in ways you will not even imagine.

    I am also in a time of transition and like most of you, want to know right now “what I’m supposed to be when I grow up.” But God has shown me that He will show me my new purpose in His time. All I need do is wait patiently and search for Him.

  7. Dear Renee, I enjoyed reading your blog. Today was my first. I am single and 47, soon to be 48, and so do not know what I am supposed to be doing in my life. I enjoy the proverbs 31 devotions every day @ work, they lift me up and encourage me. You are an inspiration and God Bless You!

    Mona Willingham
    [email protected]

  8. Dear Renee,
    It’s Monday night and I just read your devotional about “The Real Me”. I have been skipping over my devotionals from time to time in a hurry. As I got into bed and checked my e-mail, I couldn’t pass over the devotional that said “The Real Me.” All evening I have been crying, talking to God, my husband and my mother in law about how I just can’t figure out what God wants for me and my family. I am a school teacher and my husband just changed jobs. We are under stress, financial strain and feeling hopeless. We have 2 precious children, a beautiful home, a wonderful church and families. But, over the last few days I have just been sobbing and can’t figure out why I feel so alone. I am wrapped up in my work, taking care of my kids and supporting my husband’s new business. Tonight I dove into my bible and read Psalms 30 and 31. It speaks of God lifting us up out of our weeping and bringing us joy and my favorite prayer of all, Psalms 31,committing our spirit into His hands the God of truth. I have sank myself into his redeeming love and filled myself with His words of faithfullness. So, why am I not letting God and letting go? When I came upon your devotional, I realized that I don’t even know who I am anymore. I feel this other person inside just wanting to come out. It’s a typical, went to college, got married, had kids. I take care of everything and don’t give enough time for me. But, of course, I feel selfish. Also, I have choosen the teaching career and while there are so many wonderful things about it, the summers off and teaching young children while being creative, I don’t feel like I have it to give any more and feel discouraged. I long to be with my own children, 4 and 1. We can’t afford for me to work part time or be home with them, so I feel stuck. I feel like I have so much to share with other women about good and bad choices I have made as a young girl and lady. My heart desires to help other women, but feel like I dont’ know what to do. I love our church and church family. But, I can’t plug myself in because I work full time and my husband is gone in the evenings. I am tired at night and don”t even want to go anywhere, anyway. It feels like a never ending roller coaster ride. Although I am happy with my life and circumstances to a point, there is something missing….my purpose… What does God want me to be??? I know he wouldn’t stir me up if he didn’t have work to do on me. When I looked at the 4 personality types, I immediately looked at Control and Perfection. But as I really studied them, I realized I desire Peace and Fun. I want quiet time to hear the Lord. I need fun to enjoy life and I want to be fullfilled through fun and peace from the Lord. I know life is not always going to be easy and we can wish for the stars, but I know God can’t hear me and I can’t hear him with this hectic lifestyle I am leading. My prayer is for God to reveal to me who He wants me to be, the job he wants me to have, the time he wants me to have with my kids, the wife my husband needs…Renee, I don’t know you, but I feel like God used you to reveal something about my weeping that I didn’t know was in my heart. Thank you, Renee. Thank you, God!!!

  9. I feel that I’m on constant quests. A quest to instill ‘honor’ in my children. A quest to instill a ‘respectful attitude’ toward my husband. A quest to listen to the holy spirit. A quest to learn God’s unconditional love and then how to love those difficult people in my life. It’s exhausting. Are all these quests part of figuring out who I am? Are they my many roles I play in this life…yes and yes. Maybe finding out who I am, what I was meant to do will help me.
    Your article definitely sparked something within.

  10. I loved to get the chance to read your book.
    I’m struggling to find what God’s will is for my life. I’m not even sure what my gift is. I love God, and I want to be obedient, and I want to do His work, but what is it I’m good at? What abilities or talents do I have that He can use?
    I hope from reading your book I can find the answers.

  11. Renee,

    Wow, I just prayed about this exact same thing last night… I just finished a women’s retreat this weekend and I know God lead me to your blog, which I found through your devotional. It was like I was reading about myself from this weekend, at one point we all went around in a circle and were to give our prayer request, I was sitting there dreading it and listening to all these incredible women opening themselves up, and I couldn’t do it… I just said unspoken… but I really do have so much to share and give, and I want to, but there is always something holding me back. I think it all comes down to finding myself and the purpose that God has for me before I can share my heart with others. Thank you for this blog… it has open the door to encourage me even more to continue my journey.

  12. I’m a very HAPPY person, so sometimes people take my personality as being aloof, silly, or sometimes hurtful as I am also a tad bit sarcastic. Anyway, I don’t want to squelch the “real me” but I do want to be sensitive to people and situations where I might need to tone down my personality. Alas though, I am still trying to find out exactly where God wants me to be in life. I don’t know exactly where He is taking me, but I do know that I’m enjoying every bit of the journey!

    Rebecca
    [email protected]

  13. I am a people please also. I really don’t know who I am or who God would have me be. All my life I have sought love and have never been able to find it except in Christ who was willing to take my punishment for sin and in the eyes of my children. Everyone seems to think that since I seek to please God first and formost that I lack self esteem. I feel my first duty in life is to honor and glorify God and pray that I might. I have been going through some really bad times lately but am holding on to my God and Savior. I know that is not a bad thing. Isn’t that what I am suppost to do.

  14. Renee,

    I read your post after I got home from work. I had just found out that my job decided to lay me off. I went to this job after my son was born, and truly felt like God illustrated all the details. I felt a bit lost after this, and as I read your post, I began to sob. I realized you described me. I’ve never really felt like I’ve known me. I’ve always been who others needed me to be. I’ve looked to others, a career, even my family to complete me and fill in the details of who I am. God whispered to my heart that He had dreams for me…bigger than a job. Anyway, I don’t know what they are yet, but am excited to journey with God and find his dreams for me. So thank you for sharing,
    Anna

  15. Renee,

    I read your post after I got home from work. I had just found out that my job decided to lay me off. I went to this job after my son was born, and truly felt like God illustrated all the details. I felt a bit lost after this, and as I read your post, I began to sob. I realized you described me. I’ve never really felt like I’ve known me. I’ve always been who others needed me to be. I’ve looked to others, a career, even my family to complete me and fill in the details of who I am. God whispered to my heart that He had dreams for me…bigger than a job. Anyway, I don’t know what they are yet, but am excited to journey with God and find his dreams for me. So thank you for sharing,
    Anna

  16. Renee,
    I am now 40 and, like you, not exactly sure of my dreams. I have always wanted to be a mommy, and I have 4 children now. I want to serve along with my husband in ministry, but he is an AF Chaplain. In the local church, I think I felt more complete. I really want your book and cd, but we live overseas and I can’t order it for APO delivery. (Is there a way to have it delivered USPS?) Your words really encouraged me this mornig. The kids have a 2 hour school delay for the fog/ice, so I just read your Friday devotion (Monday morning). I really needed this. THANK YOU!!! My husband is encouraging me to get a part time job, but I really LOVE being home with my children and available for them. My personality is such I want to please everyone, so I especially want to please him. I really do think I need your book! I know God has a purpose for my life, but at 40, I’d kind of like to know what it is! I know HE called me to marry a minister, and I did. I know HE called me to be a mother, and I am. But what else?

  17. Dear Renee
    Thanks so very much for your Prov 31 article. I have never ever responded to any thing like this..but today is my 50 th birthday and i wanted to leisurely read my e-mail as my day was coming to an end.
    Wow!!! after that message I came here to your site, and a flood of amazing fellings and tears flowed and still do as I try to write this comment.
    I could relate to C.J.’s post and some of the other sisters. I too have been told to write and paint…but here I go, but Life gets in the way and can sometimes be out right rude.
    I don’t feel old, a bit tiered.I mean I have a full life.I have 3grown
    children ,2 daughters inlaws, 4 grandkids,a wonderful talented husband I lead praise and worship with,a prayer ministry and yes some deep serious trials.An accident I had last year has caused great loss and pain !There are surgeries one i’ve already had and a serious one for my back coming up very soon.I’ve also lost my car and business.
    Yet there is even more painful loss I won’t go into
    I will praise Him..for He is good to me!My Lord in all these things is good ! Even though it doesn’t feel good ,He is still good Thank you dear sister once again for allowing our Good God to use you in my life today and I’m sure many others.There is a beautiful song my husband I do from Psalms 139 that all this reminds me of.Thank you from “The Real Me” I pray to Be

  18. A friend sent me your article, and it really made me think. I am young, but so unhappy, and disappointed when I wake up every morning. I tried to be what everyone wanted, and when that didnt work I tried to be who I really am, but I can’t remember that person anymore. I don’t remember who I was, and I have no idea of who I am. I asked myself the questions posed in the article, and all it did was prove that I am no one.

  19. I think I am a blend of choleric and sanguine…. what a tough combination for a stay-at-home mom! Not a lot of recognition or appreciation there, is there?

    After 16 years of mothering and many still left (the youngest of my 4 is 7), I truly have no clue who the real me is. I realize I have lost myself in immersing myself in the roles of mother and wife, and I’m not sure how to figure it all out now.

  20. Dear Renee,

    Your story today really spoke to me today. That was me! I am still wondering what God’s will for me is. What am I supposed to do with my life?