It's Not What You Do, It's Who You Are

I like to pretend that I'm above it all - that I really don't care what people think of me.

But that's a lie that I can't even get myself to believe.

Oh how I wish it was true, but it's one of the hardest obstacles for anyone to overcome.

In my own safe little corner of the universe, I can confidently say that I love who I am and
have no need to prove myself
to anyone.

But out in "the world" I suddenly become overwhelmed by all the
labels and judgments
that get shoved onto my head.
Drowning, it seems,
in all that I feel
I have to be
to prove myself,
to be worthy.

"Well if only they could see me,
if they could see 
the real me",
I plead.

Because no matter where I go, the answer is unwavering,
"It's not who you are, it's what you do that matters."

It's about what sport you play.
It's about what grades you receive.
It's about what role you get in the school production.
It's about how beautiful you are.
It's about that number on the scale.
It's about how much time you spend on your hair.
It's about which friends you have.
It's about what clothes you buy.

But none of this defines me.
Who you are is not what you do.
Who you are is not your waist size,
Or your class rank,
Or your spot on the varsity team.

It's how you treat those who can do nothing for you.
It's being a friend to the friendless,
It's honoring your parents
And respecting your teachers.
It's putting the One who died for YOU on a CROSS so that you may have ETERNAL LIFE
FIRST in your life and in your heart.

I really do wish I could look in the mirror and say,
"You're talented. You're beautiful. You're smart.  No matter what they say."
I really do wish I was above the crazy expectations of a world who never stops demanding more.

I'm not, though.
And it's a struggle that never stops,
And it's a struggle that everyone has to face.

Just this morning I was singing one of my favorite hymns, and its simple and beautiful words made me realize that all of the things the world tries to define you as are so insignificant in the LORD's eyes,

"Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise.
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart.
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art."

I hope that you can take a moment today to look at yourself in the mirror
and decide. 

Decide that you are
enough.
Decide that you are
beautiful.
Decide that you are
loved.
By God and by yourself.

Then on the days when you feel like you can't ever possibly be sufficient for anyone,
you can remember that you decided;
it's not what you do, it's who you are.

...Love, Anna...

My inspiration:

"...I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.  My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.  Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." 

~Ecclesiastes 2:10-11