All of the decorations are taken down with the exception of a few words glistening with glitter in the green grass. I bend over to pick a few up. There I stood staring. The staring lingered as I saw the words “GRAD” and “CONGRATS”. What am I going to do now? Our youngest child has just graduated from high school.

Always knowing that in the back of my mind, one day the kitchen table would be empty of books, papers and pencils. That day had arrived. I was prepared for it, I had hoped. After all, many hours were spent making sure this homeschool graduate got the celebration she deserved.

There was only one problem. It was a problem that I had created in my mind. Things have changed. Mainly, my identity.

I was no longer a homeschool mom.

Internally, the questions started to plague my mind. How will I introduce myself? What do I say when others ask me what am I going to do now that I have so much free time? Do I go and work full-time outside my home? How about a part-time job? Should we start fostering children? Should I go back to school?

By the next day, I realized, my identity is in Christ and Christ alone. Whether I am a homeschool mom, volunteer twenty hours a week or go back to school; I am still a daughter of the King.

I am not sure why the pressure is there for women to have a title and identify with something or someone in order to feel as though we have worth.

We put unneeded stress upon ourselves and on other women.

Imagine if I met you and introduced myself as Sandra without a list of my accomplishments.

I would hope that you would reach out your hand to me, tell me your name and feel comfortable enough with me to just be yourself.

Knowing that you do not have to impress me, but knowing that our identity is known by the love we share for one another.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~John 13:35