MONOGRAM

It could be more of a southern tradition but monograms seem important in my "neck of the woods."

My daughter's wardrobe, as a youngster, was filled with monogrammed items and on to baby dishes and other items.

Dresses. Ruffled panties. Burp cloths 

Lockets. Silver baby julep cups. You get the idea.

As a newlywed, I proudly "sported" my new monogram, as most of my newly married friends "sported" theirs. 

My T-Cup travelers have lots of monogrammed items-- purses, towels, travel cups, baskets,  T-shirts...and a few funny stories that accompany them!

These days too many believers seem to be in the throes of "identity amnesia" We have forgotten whose we are! (Tripp, 4/12)

Today, Christian, understand that the most eternally important monogram to wear proudly would be....

............CHILD OF GOD!(1John 3:1)

The monogram that truly counts!

"identi-TEA": a Re-brew

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; (Jeremiah 1:5a, NIV)

Those words were spoken by the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah. They are true for us today, as well.  God, as creator, even knows and names the stars. (Isaiah 40:26.) But as our creator, God factors love into His relationship with man.  We are known and personally loved by our Good Shepherd; (John 10:14) He calls us friend. (John 15:15) He calls us by name. (John 10:13) He has set us apart for the plans He has for us, as Jeremiah continued in the verse.
Therefore Our true identity is in Him.

This morning's cuppa of identi-TEA was my third one. In October of 2010, I began with the many ID badges I had worn in my life time and concluded with, "I plan to savor my identi--TEA with a “cuppa”----Lyons Gold Blend---as I begin my day with Him, because that’s the identity that counts for eternity. In July 2011, as I was entering a new season in life, I had begun to reflect on and rethink my identity---wondering how others might "see" me.

Now-a-days,  I ask, "Do my actions allow others to "see" my true identity? Child of God.

Once again, on this snowy February morning in 2014, I'm spending "Tea With Thee" time with my Lord sipping a cuppa true identi-TEA. A cuppa poured into my heart by the One whose sacrifice gave me that identitiy. My ID is really His ID imparted.

Remember---the Lord calls you by name, even your nickname...
 or your grandparent one!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1) 

Identi-TEA

10/14/10 Fumbling to put on my tattered I.D. badge, I realized that this ”documentation” had identified me as an SCS educator for 20 years---when the system instituted this form of tracking. To date, I’ve never had my barcode scanned but I diligently keep up with it because to lose this identity is “costly.”

My passport has identified me as a traveler since 1967---loved “collecting” those various country entry and exit stamps. My red password’s folder identifies me as a “user” for lots of different on-line services. Sometimes further ID such as my mother’s maiden name, my childhood pet, my high school team mascot, my maid of honor’s first name, etc. is required. My blog entries identify me a dancer, a reader and a tea drinker.

Yet, these are not the sum total of who I am. Whose I am is of final import. This significance is my true identity. He has not only given believers the right to become children of God (John 1: 12 but He also knows our name. (without an ID badge)

He calls his own sheep by name…. (John 10: 3)
I plan to savor my identi--TEA with a “cuppa”----Lyons Gold Blend---as I begin my day with Him because that’s the identity that counts for eternity.