I found myself in a discussion with our son the other day where in the heat of the moment I said, “you are a ‘Mullins’ and we give every ounce of effort to do our best.”  Fail!

Since that discussion, moments of frustration and allowing myself to become angry where grace and mercy were needed, my Father in Heaven has reminded me that my son is the son of I AM and his earthly father is also I AM’s son.  I often tell our kids that their education funds may well be needed for therapy funds.  What an amazing title “the daughter or son of I AM.”

“God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.  Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.”  Exodus 3:14 NLT

I so desire for our kids identity to be completely in Christ.  I desire this for my own life and for Megan’s life as well.  As I write this my inclination was to write ‘I want A PART of their identity to be in Christ.’  My prayer, my plea, my hope is that their complete identity is solely in Christ alone.  Why, because it is the only identity that matters and the only identity that creates within us a life of purpose that properly places value on the only thing of real value that matters, people.  God’s beautiful children.  Satan’s target for destruction.

When I am speaking I often say that I want Satan to hate me and encourage all to consider their threat to Satan and his legions of evil.  Yet, after boldly making that statement, I question why I feel under attack at times.  I encourage my children to live lives that honor their family name.  Their earthly family name.  Their identity as a Mullins, versus their only identity that matters and will stand through time.  God’s beloved son or daughter.  Thankfully, God has provided me a wife and children who love me despite, not because.

“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”  1 Peter 2:9 NLT

I cannot remember what we gave our kids as gifts for Christmas last year.  I can remember when I listened to all three of our kids ask Jesus into their heart.  I cannot remember mistakes made last Summer but I do remember the sweet voices of our kids saying, ‘I love you, momma’ and their prayers of gratitude to their ever-loving Father in Heaven.  I see in them all that is good and all that is hope and I see in them the sinful nature that only God can, will and does forgive and remove…if only we ask.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10 NIV

So I seek to instill within our kids the value and identity that I seek for myself.  An identity rooted in Jesus Christ.  An identity free of guilt and shame.  An identity that accepts what is freely given.  An identity that cannot be earned.  An identity assigned through Grace and Mercy by the Creator of all things, ‘who knew us before we were in our mother’s womb.’  Less of ‘Mullins’ and all of ‘I AM.’

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”  Jeremiah 1:5 ESV

Our identity in Christ is a shield to repel all attacks.  Our identity in Christ is a fuel to embolden us to live lives of example that shares hope.  Our identity in Christ is a safe harbor from the storms of life and this World.  Our identity in Christ is simply and completely, enough.

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”  John 15:15 ESV

You’ve got this.