Identity

Identity is a funny word. According to the dictionary, identity is defined as "the collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which a thing is definitively recognizable or known". People, by their very nature have lots of words that combine to form one's identity. And a person's identity can be defined differently by different people describing the same person.

If you've checked in on Life in Small Town USA, you may have noticed that I have been changing the background on our blog. A lot. I have been searching for the perfect look for our family site. Something I felt would help define where we are coming from, what we believe in, and what we respect. It may seem easy, but I think the constant change in this blog site is a direct parallel to my own personal life. I've gotten a new haircut (which I like by the way), tried to get back on the exercise ball to one day get a slimmer body. Like this blog I have been searching for something or things in my life to "perfectly" define who I am.

It's so easy to let yourself get defined by who you think you are, or who you want to be. It's rare to find someone who is willing to be defined by God. As a severe Type A personality, I strive for perfection, excellence, and a set of clearly defined characteristics. Square pegs in square holes, round pegs in round holes, everything has a place and is in its place. Nothing out of order.

Unfortunately, for all the realists in the crowd, that is more the execption than the rule of life. I think the major flaws in trying to define yourself is people want to define themselves in the perfect light. What are the words that you use to define yourself? Are any of them less than shining? Words like sinner. Obsessive. Short tempered. Pessimistic. In all honesty, those words are definitely a part of my "identity". But when someone asks me to list words that I identify myself with, the less than shining words never come up. I conveniently forget those words when I am asked to write a set of characteristics to define myself.

Although I fail to remember this most of the time, thankfully there are those who continue to love me with the shining and the duller defining words. My God places people here to remind me that He loves me, in spite of the not so nice identity characteristics. He will always be there, love me, and support me just as these wonderful people on Earth do for me. And I have been put here to provide that love and support to others who need it.

Sometimes we all need a little change to revisit who we are, both shining and dull, and I think it helps give perspective to where we are heading in life. So bear with me as I make some changes....both in the virtual world and in real life.