And so – we write for five minutes, our words tumbling out – no editing, no polishing – just flat out on a one word prompt! We gather all our beautiful thoughts here in our Five Minute Friday community and then love on each other as only we can do! Click here to learn all about it.
Home is where the Five Minute Friday community gathers so please join us at Kate Motaung’s for our Friday fun!
DOUBT
GO…
As I sit here and think back to who I was and who I am becoming, I realize that as life changes, I try to change with it. But what happens when life changes quickly and transitions come at you so fast that holding on is all you can do. How do you handle life then?
I am seeking my identity, who I am, but find I have no name. Doubt floods my mind as I hold onto who I was, a teacher, but in looking forward I can’t see who I am becoming. Retirement can do that to you. It is a transition from knowing exactly who you are into a life that is unclear. Doubt clouds the picture of who you are and who you hope to be. God takes the picture and focuses it until you know exactly who are becoming.
Jesus says…
“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Luke 24:38
Any doubt that I am feeling right now about what I am supposed to call myself is totally erased by God, who assures me that when He is ready, it will all become clear. The picture, which appears to be out of focus now, will soon be sharp and beautiful. The doubt of who I am will be replaced by God, who has always known me and always will. We are known by God because He chose to know us first.
[Tweet “We are known by God because He chose to know us first. #fmfparty #passagethroughgrace”]
So when I share wonderings in this new season, please remember to..
Be merciful to those who doubt Jude 1:22
And know that when God is ready and the next step happens, you will all be the first to know.
Mary
Oh yes, the picture will become clear, dear Mary. With the cool breezes of fall and times to sit and reflect, I think God will make it clear who He wants you to be and do. I think He is already making it clear because your words about finding and grounding your identity are so needed for those in times of transition, loss or confusion. Hugs to you, my friend! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for you!
I am not good at staying patient in the midst of transitions. I feel I am on the cusp of something bigger and more specific and I hope that I am not missing anything as it unfolds. Sure love when you share your wisdom. Love seeing you here as always. Hugs to you!
sitting in the waiting room alongside, you, Mary.
wondering who I am.
but not WHOSE I am.
and it’s well with our souls, yes?
what a very good place to be …
Wondering who I am but not whose I am! Those words describe me perfectly right now. I love when you come by to visit because you say things a little different than me but you always say it so well. Love seeing you as always!
Sometimes even when the choices are ours, we can be blindsided by the changes that those choices bring. It’s so important for us to seek our true identity in God, and God alone. Praying for you during this transition, friend.
Thank you for the prayers. I saw your sweet comment at Barbie’s Weekend Whispers. I am so glad you followed me here. I love community and even though I will not be there every other weekend I love this online writing place where we gather and encourage each other. Hope your week is blessed.
I think you are doing retirement beautifully, Mary. You’re words here can certainly inspire and encourage all of us no matter what stage of life we are in. I can’t wait to see where God continues to lead you, my friend. I’m so blessed to be on this journey with you :).
Thank you Candace! I actually am feeling good about retirement except for the slight identity crisis that crept in when school started and I was not there. Your words always make me feel better and remind me that there is a reason why I am writing. Love you dear!
Mary,
Lifting you up in prayer. I know all too well the feeling that I am being judged because I can’t answer the question “What do you do?” with an answer like “I am a _____________”
It seems too long and apologetic when I say, ” I used to teach but now….I do this, this and this.” The best answer I’ve come up with so far is, “Since retiring from teaching, I’m really into God’s work: writing, aiding a Christian School for orphans in Pakistan, studying His word.” I’m sure it sounds like a hodge-podge, but it’s the truth right now. I’m not defined by one title and I’m learning to be okay with that. Praying the same for you and for patience while God reveals what He wants you to do next. Change can be challenging…
Blessings,
Bev
It doesn’t sound hodgepodge at all. I love that you are okay with not being defined by one title. I am learning that as well. However, I still need to learn to release the titles I have held for so long-teacher being one of those. You are such a gift to God and you honor Him in all you re doing. Thank you for your sweet encouragement. Blessings friend!
Mary, I retired last year after 33 years as a Preschool Teacher. I have had some of the same thoughts as you and have been struggling with my identity. I know that God is in control and I am in a waiting period now and I trust God to reveal the next step in His timing. I will be praying for you, Mary.
Thank you for sharing your connection as a teacher. It’s hard when you know God has big things planned for you but you don’t know what those are yet. I can feel His whispers and I know my next steps are coming, but this time of waiting might look like I am not doing anything to the rest of the world. I actually am quite busy. I am so glad you joined me today and pray that your weekend is blessed.
I am 60+ yrs old and I still work fulltime – I plan to until I’m 70. I think one of the reasons I will do that is because I’m not sure who I will be when my career is finally over. Interesting. Never thought of it like this until I read your words. Have an awesome weekend on that big red couch. FMF#42
I understand that feeling full well. However, I am blessed to be able to retire at this time in my life and know that God has wonderful plans in store for me. Thank you for faithfully stopping by here each Friday.
Holly and I are having a great time. It’s such a joy to spend time with friends in real life. Hugs to you!
Mary, I hadn’t thought about the impact a major life change would affect the way we view ourselves. It’s so easy to put on a hat, “I’m a teacher (lived this one). I’m a mom (one I yearned to wear for years before I actually put it on). I’m a ___________” and then feel a little lost when the hat changes shape or disappears. You’ve given me good things to ponder here.
And the verse from Jude? Perfect. I’d never read it quite with this context in mind. And thank you for the reminder that God knows the plans He has for us, and He will fulfill them in His perfect timing. I’ll be praying for you today.
I cherish your prayers. I get sucked into what the world expects and then feel inadequate because I am not _____. Whatever that may be! God does have perfect timing and I know that full well. Thank you so much for stopping by and encouraging me in this season. Have a great weekend!
Mary, I think we all struggle with this to some extent:”in looking forward I can’t see who I am becoming” because our view of life’s tapestry is a tangle of knots and broken threads. Only God can see the whole picture from beginning to end, and it’s often hard to trust when we’re lost in the messy middle. Life’s seasons and changes can be so unsettling until we learn how to go with the flow and enjoy the journey to all we are becoming in Him. I’m praying for things to become clearer for you, my friend, and for peace while you rest and settle into a new way of living and being. It will come good! Blessings 🙂 x
Thank you for these sweet words. I love how God brings people like you to affirm that everything is going to be okay. What a gift to know that others can show us clearly to God through their own experiences. Thank you for your prayers and for being such a light of Christ for me. Blessings upon your weekend.
Well said, and the passage from Jude is a wonderful balm to those who don’t feel like their faith is ‘strong enough’ when they have doubts.
You did us a real service today…and I suspect that God has prepared something for you that will bring fulfillment beyond your dreams.
Your words touched me deeply, Andrew. I can feel God working but I know that what that looks like to those in the outside is that I am not doing anything. Hence, the posting of the verse from Jude! We need to show others mercy and compassion as they are walking through any stage of their lives. Thank you for your kind thoughts and your presence here. It means so much.
Mary, God indeed knows who you are! Even in this time of change, God will eventually help you to see that image even clearer. But until then I’ll remember the words from that Jude verse. I’m parked over in the #11 spot this week.
So glad to “meet” you today. I love your strong words of encouragement that feel like you are cheering me on. I ma praying your weekend is blessed.
Ooops! Your name came up different Tara and I thought you were somebody new. So sorry! I always love how you make sure to stop by!
“Be merciful to those who doubt.” Yes! So good. Stopping by from FMF. Thanks so much for the timely reminder.
Thank you Courtney! I appreciate you stopping by. Praying your weekend is blessed.
Very well said, Mary! You expressed your emotions so clearly — helpful for me to know how I can better pray for you! And while you’re waiting to see what you should call yourself in this new season, remember that He *always* calls you His own, and His beloved. That will never change. xx
Thank you for praying for me. I’m not totally lost but it was a big “AHA” when all of my teachers friends went back to school and I didn’t. Also, my identity as mom is changing since both of my sons got engaged this summer. Big changes but God is bigger. Love you and miss you!
“We are known by God because He chose to know us first.” Love this!
visiting from FMF — Sarah Jo
Thank you Sarah Jo. I love being known by God because there are times I do not know myself. Blessed you stopped by.
Love the idea of being merciful to those who doubt! What a compassionate way to love on someone. You are Mary. You are exactly who God wants you to be. Never doubt that!
You are so sweet!!! I love knowing that I am exactly who God created me to be. It’s just nice having that title that shows everyone else who I am. Thanks for being such a dear friend and for hosting me this weekend. Yay for girl’s weekends.