Who I Am Now Is Defined by Who I’m Not

The chorus of Brandon Heath’s song I’m Not Who I Was keeps running through my mind.

I used to be the go-to parent volunteer. Now I’m working in the schools.

I used to be the stay-at-home mom. Now I’m the barely-home mom.

I used to be the wife with the perfect house and the smile and open arms for her husband at the end of his hard day. Now I manage the house as best as I can and save my smiles and hugs for my children … at the end of my hard day.

I used to bake and cook meals with multi-step recipes. Now I put the healthiest thing I can on the table using the least effort and money.

I used to pay the bills. Now I make the money or the bills don’t get paid, but I still have to find the time to pay them.

I used to leave “the providing” up to my spouse while I provided the comfort and support and love to the family. Now I do both.

I used to submit and serve. Now I lead and decided and bear the responsibility.

It hit me the other day–the enormity of what I’m doing. What I couldn’t be doing without my family and friends supporting me.

None of what I’m doing is inherently bad. I find joy in a lot of it, like substituting. The changes happening in me are refining and honing me, but the stakes are so much higher now.

I realized that the kids will always have a different mother. I am not the same woman I was a year ago, nor the same woman I would have been at this time without the divorce. But God knew that was coming, which means I’m closer to the woman He is making me to be.

~~~

My friend, Angela Breidenbach, who TRULY is the current Mrs. Montana, blogs a bit about The Familiar Stranger. She encourages us all to follow our dreams!

7 Responses to Who I Am Now Is Defined by Who I’m Not

  1. Donna M. Kohlstrom October 29, 2009 at 7:06 am #

    We’re always a work in progress being refined and brought closer to what the Lord wants us to be for Him!

  2. Tammy Bowers October 29, 2009 at 1:57 pm #

    What you are doing is amazing and important. And the kind of woman you are now won’t be who you are in 5 years. Just keep your eyes on Christ and your life in His hands. Then you don’t need to worry about anything else.
    Blessings!

  3. Susan J. Reinhardt October 29, 2009 at 4:50 pm #

    You’re doing a great job, Christina, with much grace and courage. 🙂

    Blessings,
    Susan

  4. Cherie Hill October 30, 2009 at 1:47 pm #

    One thing is for sure…God is not finished with us yet! Praying for you Christina!!!
    Love and hugs,
    Cherie

  5. Christina Berry October 30, 2009 at 10:55 pm #

    Kind of like our writing WIPs (work in progress), huh writing friends? We can always use a little editing, or revamping of the plot, or a totally head-spending twist in the story!

  6. Deborah M November 1, 2009 at 7:18 am #

    Christina,
    I’ve been following your blog tour and I am anxious to read your book. I hope that somewhere in the tour I will win a copy. If not I’ll find one. Your personal story is an inspiration to me. I’ve been divorced for ten years and even though there is a loss, I’ve become many things I would never have done if I stayed in the marriage. I think is going to be true for you, too. Keep up the good work.
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

  7. Christina Berry November 3, 2009 at 11:27 pm #

    Deborah, thank you for the encouragement! I don’t think there’s any way I could go through all this and not end up a better woman or Christ-follower at the end. Adversity shows us how strong we can be.