Hats and Identity

I picture the tall coat rack looking something like this—roughly. Instead of

coats, hats (those colorful things at the top are hats) find their home here, piled—not so neatly—one on top of another; all askew. When a new joins the existing, they jockey for position and sometimes, just sometimes, one or more falls off.

This particular hat rack is unique. Have you ever seen a hat rack with a cross planted at its foot? In the healthy soil, the roots of the cross spread, grow, and support.

The hats on the rack are unique too. Each is named … mom, wife, neighbor, sister, daughter, Navstaff, basket lady, and more. The name of each hat defines a role.

Something happens when I draw—God SHOUTS. He has my attention. This time the message was ...

Sue, with the exception of big family events like weddings and funerals, all your hats submit to your Nav hat. Ouch! But his words rang true. Not good. 

All my hats need to submit to my real, unchanging identity, not another hat. I love the description of my identity in this scripture …“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called  children of God! That’s who we really are".                                                              

 I John 3:1, The Message

Child of God—that’s who I really am. My hats are an extension, not a definition of me.

When I ponder this child-like picture, I love the reminder that the cross is the source of the nourishment, the strength that supports the hats. As roots spread, more hats can be supported.

Sometimes a hat falls off (I no longer wear a grand-daughter hat or third grade teacher hat). That’s okay. More often a new hat is hung (editor is my newest; the root system seems to be supporting it).

Another important truth is pictured... the hats are not balanced; some perch precariously and look like they might topple. The roots carry the weight of the hats, not their perfectly placed position. I'm learning to focus on faithfulness not balance.

Three BIG lessons:
1. My real and unchanging identity is child of God.
2. The strength of my root system is the source of nourishment and support for my hats.
3. Faithfulness (not balance) is the key to everyday victory.

Visual learner might be the title of another hat for me. 

What about you? What reminders are most helpful for you remembering your identity?

"Let your roots go down deep into the soil of His marvelous love and draw up nourishment from Him"
Colossians 2:7, The Living New Testament