The Heart of Who I Am

This was another article I wrote for our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) newsletter this month.
As women, we sometimes struggle with all the different hats we have to put on. We are moms, wives (or if you’re a single mom, you have to be a “dad” also), daughters, friends, employees, etc.  For every person that we encounter, we seem to have to put on a different hat.   We have to remember though, that these are “roles” that God has given us, and none of them alone defines who we are.
Recently my husband and I had an opportunity to discuss our faith with family members who do not share the same faith.  Just the thought of sharing my faith used to scare me.  However, as I explained to the best of my ability who Jesus is to me and why the Bible is so important to me, something inside of me was “unleashed.” I believe it was my heart. The “heart” of who I am was revealed in what I said, and I believe God was smiling at me as if to say, “That’s it! I want you to show more of your heart to everyone around you.”  The truth is, if God really is everything to me, if He’s at the center of who I am, then He will be revealed in my speech and actions, as I unveil more of my heart to everyone around me.  God desires for each of us to be more intentional at doing this, despite whichever hat we’re wearing.
Now we spend a lot of time wearing the “Mom” hat. I’ve been seeking guidance from God on how I can reveal more of my “heart” to my 2-year-old.  One of the ways is that I always make sure I pray with her throughout the day when I need God’s help.  I want her to know that God is my strength.  I also try to explain my heart behind every discipline, even if she may not understand all of what I’m saying.  I don’t want to simply focus on molding her outward behavior; I want her heart to connect with mine…and ultimately with God’s heart.  I say to her, “It’s important to obey Mommy and Daddy, because it will help you to obey God. He loves you and has the best plan for you, and you will receive all the blessings He has for you as you learn to obey Him.”
1 Samuel 16:7 says, “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” People will naturally see first the “role” that we play.  It will take more effort on our part to reveal the “heart” of who we are.  But if Jesus is at the heart of who we are, too much is at stake to not reveal it.