{Ashley Lauren Photography}

Over the past few weeks I have begun to ask myself the same question over and over again. Who am I? I believe that in life, who we are continually changes. As I began to ponder this question I thought back to my first huge life change. I was just shy of being 20 years old. Over the course of 3 months the Lord captivated my heart and taught me what it looks like to love and pursue Him through the book of 1 Peter. My next life change came a week before I turned 22, when I married a man who surpasses my every dream. The Lord began to teach me what it looks like to be a wife. And my next big life change will occur in about 6 months (no, it is not a baby- but more on that another time).

Through this adventure of life, I’ve learned that everything happens for a reason and that His timing is perfect- even when His timing doesn’t match up with mine. I’ve learned that there is so much to learn, to know, to experience, and to do. Each of our lives holds so much potential because we are His. Because we are children of the Creator, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and made in His image. And because of this I want to know that what I have done, what I am doing, and what I will do, will all hold an eternal value. I want to know that my life and God-given gifts have not been wasted.

After recognizing this I realized there was another question I needed to answer first. Who is God? I sat down with a cup of coffee and began to write. I filled pages with words that described Him, just to realize how much more there is to learn. He is omnipotent, good, sovereign, righteous, just, protector, helper, comforter, omniscient, powerful, kind, faithful, mighty, wrathful, omnipresent, Holy, loving, and so, so much more.

It was only after answering this that I felt confident enough to return to my original question. That was when I was able to verbalize who I am.

{Ashley Lauren Photography}

I am…

I am made in His image

 I am God’s artwork, His masterpiece 

I am worthy 

I am His

I am a vessel of honor

I am forgiven

I am wonderful

I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works

I am known

I am the salt of the earth

I am the light of the world

I am a fragrant aroma of Christ

I am strong

I am the clay to be molded by the potter

I am one who fears the Lord & will be praised

I am a child of God

I am seen

I am no longer a slave to sin, but free in Christ

I am bold, loving and self-disciplined

I am accepted

I am like stars in the universe

I am beautiful, my beloved, there is no flaw in you

I am unashamed

I am equipped by the Gospel

I am more precious than gold

I am the bride of Christ

I am loved

I am free

I am co-heirs with Christ

I am His witnesses

I am His temple

I am enough

I am blessed

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made”
Psalm 139:14

The more I learn about the Lord, the more I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be” {tweet the quote}. God is the one who should be inspiring us to be who we know we can be.

What else would you add to the list?