"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

There were so many things I wanted to say in this big moment for my daughter. Shouldn't I have a speech? Or a famous person's quote? Or a highly engaging devotion all planned out?

She was heading to her first day of high school. And I knew she would soon face choices that carried more weight than ever before in her life. We make our choices and then our choices make us.

I swallowed hard and blinked back the tears. And suddenly I knew exactly what to say: "Remember who you are."

This was the perfect statement. Not because it's incredibly profound to the rest of the world. But it is to my kids. It's our family motto.

We've spent years teaching our kids character lessons and highlighting people who model solid integrity. We've tied these lessons to be defining marks on what we want our name to stand for when people think of us.

But, we wanted a way to encapsulate all those lessons into one quick statement that could be said every time our kids head out into the world. And, it had to be a statement that made sense to all of our kids, whether it was one of our teens heading out on a Friday night with friends, or a younger child going over to a friend's house for an afternoon playdate.

So, we came up with the simple statement, "Remember who you are." In other words, you are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth today.

This is our family signature. This would be that quick reminder of the spiritual vision of our family.

All those life lessons ?

• upholding purity in our thoughts and actions



• honoring God with the words we say and choose not to say



• keeping a good attitude whether we win or lose



• extending grace to others as God has extended grace to us

? boiled down into one easy-to-remember and easy-to-repeat statement: Remember who you are.

And this isn't just a reminder to hold our family name in high regard. No, even more importantly, it's a reminder to hold the fact that we are part of God's family in high regard. Our name is worth something.

The Bible says in Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is more desirable than great riches." Calling ourselves Christians is a huge responsibility. Christ's name is part of our identity.

Yes, "Remember who you are," was the perfect thing to say on this day of new beginnings, opportunities and choices.

Does all this mean we have kids who never mess up or let us down? Nope. It doesn't even mean that I never mess up or let others down. It's tough having a sold-out-to-Jesus soul stuck in a flesh-filled body.

It means we've defined what we're shooting for, and hopefully we're all in the process of getting closer and closer to hitting the mark.

Dear Lord, I'm choosing to remember who I am in You - no matter what I face today. I want to live out the truths You've taught me and help those around me do the same. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 10:7: "The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot." (NIV)

Psalm 119:33-34: "Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

Teach children their value is tied to who they are, not how they play. Lysa TerKeurst's NEW children's book, Win or Lose, I Love You! includes 10 Scriptures to help children remember who they are and how to treat others. Get it now for a special release day price of only $10.99! Purchase your copy here.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

Is there a place in your life where you've been compromising for others instead of living in God's Truth?

Consider what "remember who you are" means to you in your own journey with God. Then, think of one thing you can do today to align your words, thoughts and actions with His Word above all else.



 

© 2015 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.