What I Learned From Junior High Volleyball
She crumpled. Pouring out all the emotions. Having all the thoughts. As moms, we've had them too...
"I don't measure up."
"Everyone thinks I'm an idiot!"
"I'm not going to be chosen."
"What am I good at?"
"Does anyone even care?"
My daughter's mind was saturated with those thoughts after volleyball tryouts one day. I held her as she teared up and exposed the deepest parts of her negative self-talk. I hurt for her. We sat in silence for a moment and that's when it just rolled off my tongue. "Volleyball is something you do, not something you are."
BAM! That truth continued to wreck me as the week rolled on.
Mommy-ing is something you do, not something you are.
Baking is something you do, not something you are.
Teaching is something you do, not something you are.
This truth works against the negatives in my life as well. You know, the ones that pour on the shame:
Losing your temper is something you did, not something you are.
Being prideful is something you did, not something you are.
God's word shouts to us who we are. Yet, even as grown adults, we allow the world to speak into our identity. Let’s make sure His words are allowed to speak the loudest!
- John 1:12 - "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
- Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…"
- Galatians 3:26 - "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith."
QUESTIONS
- What title have you allowed to become your identity?
- How would you complete this statement: ________________ is something you do, not something you are!
It's my prayer for my daughter, you and myself that each of us would know and act on the fact that who we are is already determined and UNALTERABLE by what we do or do not do.
For further study, PRINT THIS.
About the Author
Mandy Sisco has a love for her Savior and her husband of 16 years, Lance. Together, they have the great privilege to disciple four kiddos: a SHE-E-O, a dreamer, a fireball, and an adventurer. When Mandy is not speaking along side her husband in marriage ministry, she is most at home in a room full of mommas.She enjoys sharing the real joys and raw struggles that sharpen her in the almost-always crazy season of parenting.
