Lately...

...one of my favorite quotes have been
"I've got nothing to prove".

And when I say that, I truly mean it.

Because, no one or no thing owns me. No one's words, actions, attitudes, or approval can adhere to who I am. No cirsumstances or situations can define me.

I am who I am because of my Father. I will let Him call on who I am. I will let Him define what I am. And because I am so solid in my identity in Him, I have nothing to prove to anyone or to anything.

Not saying Im perfect...or justifying any of my actions. Im just saying I will not let the enemy use anyone or any thing to doubt who I am in God.

One of my favorite childrens books is called "You Are Special" by Max Lucado. Click here to see it on Amazon.com.

This book about small wooden people called the Wemmicks who put golden star stickers and gray dot stickers on each other all day long. The golden star stickers go to the talented, well liked, smart, and beautiful Wemmicks. The gray dot stickers go to the chipped, scratched, and uncoordinated Wemmicks, and to those who cannot speak eloquently.

A Wemmick, named Punchinello, is one who receives gray dots all day long and is very sad about it. It is affecting his self esteem and he is believing that something is really wrong with him. He meets Lucia, a Wemmick who is beautiful and talented, but has no stars or dots. Every time someone gives her a mark, whether a star or dot, it just falls off.

When Punchinello asks Lucia about this phenomenon, she refers him to speak to Eli, the woodcarver. Eli creates all of the Wemmicks and lives on the other side of the hill. Skeptically, Punchinello goes to meet Eli, where he learns that he is loved and accepted, no matter what other's may say his faults are.

Punchinello realizes that when he spends some time with Eli, who loves him unconditionally, the dots will not stick to him, because he is special too.

My most favorite part of the book, is at the very end, when the Punchinello meets Eli (God). Read below:

"Punchinello?" The voice was deep and strong. Punchinello stopped. "Punchinello! How good to see you. Come and let me have a look at you." Punchinello turned slowly and looked at the large bearded craftsman. "You know my name?" the little Wemmick asked.

"Of course I do. I made you." Eli stooped down and picked him up and set him on the bench. "Hmm," the maker spoke thoughtfully as he inspected the gray circles. "Looks like you've been given some bad marks." "I didn't mean to, Eli. I really tried hard." "Oh, you don't have to defend yourself to me, child. I don't care what the other Wemmicks think." "You don't?"

No, and you shouldn't either. Who are they to give stars or dots?
They're Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special."
Punchinello laughed. "Me, special? Why? I can't walk fast. I can't jump. My paint is peeling. Why do I matter to you?"

Eli looked at Punchinello, put his hands on those small wooden shoulders, and spoke very slowly. "Because you're mine. That's why you matter to me."
Punchinello had never had anyone look at him like this--much less his maker. He didn't know what to say.
"Every day I've been hoping you'd come," Eli explained.
"I came because I met someone who had no marks."
"I know. She told me about you."
"Why don't the stickers stay on her?"
"Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them."

"What?"
"The stickers only stick if they matter to you. The more you trust my love, the less you care about the stickers."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"You will, but it will take time. You've got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me every day and let me remind you how much I care." Eli lifted Punchinello off the bench and set him on the ground. "Remember," Eli said as the Wemmick walked out the door. "You are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."

Punchinello didn't stop, but in his heart he thought, "I think he really means it."
And when he did, a dot fell to the ground.

Its hard for me to read this book without crying! What a great implication as to who we should let define us.

I've been wanting to write a post about this for a while now.

For the next few weeks, we are doing a series at our church called "Identity Theft". This series is about finding our identity in Christ!

You can hear the weekly sermons online by clicking here. Also, ACC is offering a free electronic devotional via email. Click here to sign up. Its REALLY good stuff!!!