Hi! I'm an Important Nobody.

"Who are you?" It's a question that not many can answer. A while back a friend shot those three words across via text message and I've been answering it ever since. You are not what inspires you. You are not necessarily who you want to be. You are not what you love. You are a separate something. But...what or who exactly?

Sounds great! But...its "what" not "who."

Source: piccsy.com via Johanna on Pinterest

Last week I sped down the interstate with a new friend, unfamiliar with my upbringing, hobbies, interests and thoughts. She turned in the passenger seat and stared at me somewhat perplexed then looked forward over the dash. I was curious.

"What?" I asked, half-smiling.

"Well...I was just wondering what culture you identify with, exactly..." she replied honestly and bluntly. A girl after my own heart who said aloud what she actually thought.

"Hello. I like you." I laughed back.

"No, really. You don't act Asian and you aren't an Islander, necessarily, and you don't talk Black and you're not White. What's up with you?"

"Whoa, girl! You better be glad we're alone in this car!" I joked with her. "But, you're on to something there."

Who we are is not actually a color, accent, or culture either. And thank goodness for that, because otherwise it would be hard for unidentified objects like me to "belong."



Do you remember being a teen and deciding who you were with mixed emotions and activities? I sat in the airport waiting for my flight and almost got up to walk away as thirty highschoolers circled and landed like a flock of noisy birds, all around me, filling every seat with stuff and the air with incessant chatter. I groaned and smiled to myself listening to them proclaim their futures to one another. Behind me a boy chirped, "I'll be a restaurant owner, or a landscape artist, unless I'm a botanist, conductor, or a zookeeper. I have so many options, with my skills." The girl closest to me went on and on with her hopeful visions, while her friends overflowed with agreeing accolades, "I will definitely be a doctor. My ACT scores were off the charts and I want to wear a stethoscope." Another crowd off to themselves with obviously modified uniforms piled themselves together and giggled about guys: all completely the same, but so different from the rest as they definitely knew they were marked by singular maturity. I put my sunglasses on, to hide my laughing eyes.



I know what I admire and what inspires. I even know what I want. I definitely know what I love and then what I like. But that is not "who" I am. I know my favorites and what I need to be healthy. I know what looks good on me and I’m learning when to say “no.” And thankfully, I am definitely not what I can do or accomplish. I know I don't have to be like others or have what others have. However, these facts about me are not me, either. Who are you?



But, before you get concerned about my sanity, I did find “identity” for myself. It sounds silly, perhaps...But until you have it, you'll look for it without knowing it is what's missing. You won't be happy and people will step around you with a confused look on their face until you realize the truth.


Personally and frankly, I discovered that I am actually no one—and it is so nice. I am supposed to be completely swallowed up in Someone else. It is just how I was created to be. I have been completed, by focusing on Christ. Now I can just be me without knowing or caring what it looks like to people—or who approves or disapproves. When you know this, “you” fades away into an extremely important and safe “nobody”. It is so splendid to be an onlooker without personal conflict, viewing the lives of people around me as they are, and not as who I am. Think about it.



Because finally, this is who I am…free. Take time to read this and believe it: because it is who you can be, too! The more you know God, the more you know you who have been made in the image of God.





• I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).

• I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

• I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

• I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14).

• I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

• I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

• I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).

• I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

• I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

• I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

• I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17,18).

• I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:17,19).

• I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Colossians 3:9,10).

• I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and

• I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

• I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

• I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

• I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

• I am God’s child⎯for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

• I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

• I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

• I am a spirit being⎯alive to God (Romans 6:11;1 Thessalonians 5:23).

• I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4).

• I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25).

• I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

• I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).

• I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11).

• I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3,4).

• I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

• I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).

• I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

• I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

• I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

• I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

• I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12).

• I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7).

• I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

• I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).

• I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7).

• I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).

• I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24).

• I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12;).

• I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

• I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

• I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7).

• I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14).

• For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

• It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

(Copyright © 2008 Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.)

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The Flying Littles and Mine

I swung one bag in front of me and the other behind, and continued down the stuffy aisle. The bored stares of two hundred eyes helped me evaluate my predicament as I walked the gauntlet on quest to find the open seat on the airplane. Sure enough, there were two more seats available. One for me, and one for the distressed-looking gentleman behind me. He looked like he might start crying, when he realized that his seat would probably be the one beside the crying baby. I made his day.

Crawling over a set of knees, I slid into the seat option beside the baby with his daddy. With wide, baby-eyed shock the crying stopped as the little guy wriggled loose and lurched for my long necklace. I caught him and plopped him on my knees and he began to attempt slobbery ingestion of all my jewlery, hair, and attention. Thus began the four hour flight. Why did I choose this?

I'd like to say it was because of my sympathetic desire to keep the businessman from joining in the wail of tears, but honestly, it was more like I wanted to sit by the crying baby. Suddenly, I realized a real mistake. Earlier in the line to board I had allowed myself to play peek-a-boo with a large-headed Chinese tot, much to his hilarious joy. Now...he sat directly behind me. Pulling my hair and tapping incessantly with a straw seemed to be the best way to continue the game, since I was now playing with someone else.

Source: Uploaded by user via Johanna on Pinterest

Thus, I have a suggestion to make if you have attention deficit disorder: find yourself a baby or two if you have to sit for four hours. They like to change topics of conversation every thirty seconds and also want three new toys before you get off the runway. Here I was going to finish my design sketch for a client, but instead I got to sing every song I could think of, play with fifteen toys, clap my hands for a dedicated fifteen minutes, and play with little humans until we both collapsed into exhausted slumber...for five minutes.

Although, it is true: you may find yourself in a conversation arguing why you should not have a baby of your own post haste. The seat beside you may also tell you that when one "has a natural motherly instinct" they should procreate with or without marriage, though you explain and disagree louder than the offspring(s) you currently juggle. The humor of the awkward conversation of worldviews regarding making and having, might be enough to prompt proclaiming that the "baby needs changing."

So it with excitement I confess why I actually sat there. I cannot wait to see and hold my niece next month! I want to cuddle her little squishy self, in tears or joy, in laughter or screams. I just can't wait to see her and call her my very own Little.

Source: inspired-design.tumblr.com via Johanna on Pinterest

P.S. To see more photos of fun Littles, go here.



Press, Paparazzi, Protesters, & A Powerful GOD

I leaned back out of the way: again. "Can I take your photo?" clamored loudly, excitedly from every direction as the press, paparazzi, protesters, and fans squeezed in around us. They didn't actually want my photo, they just thought they did. I know it sounds odd, but people just are wondrously so. A piece of paper shoved towards me through the throng, followed by "Your autograph, please? Sign it to 'Bethany!'"


More amused than anything because I didn't look remotely like any of the celebrities I was with, I slipped securely through behind the Secret Service line, where it was quiet...most of the time. Sliding my aviators up, I said, "Hi...Thanks so much for what you're doing. You guys really are fantastic." S.S. John with the badge inclined his head professionally and indicated it was better than the desk. I started down a hall back towards our room and he politely raised his voice, "The presidential candidate is prepping, so I request that you go no further in this hall." "Of course!" I replied as I made an instant u-turn.


"What in the world was Johanna up to this weekend?" you ask. That I am asking myself, as well. But suffice to say my brother dubbed me via text a "celeb chaser" and they argued back that I was their "staff." But I was deeply impacted in another inspiring way...


Matthew 10:32-33
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
 

Matthew 16:26

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?


Soon I found myself seated and listening to the Presidential hopeful campaigning from the platform. Wait, who was he campaigning for here? I was surprised and quickly looked around to see the expressions on the faces before me of a vast and varied audience and on the faces of CNN reporters, newspaper journalists, and a horde of media representatives. This politician was not just demonstrating his knowledge and ability to transform America, but also Christ's work of redemption, His position as Creator, and His power to save. I felt a twinge of guilt.


This is not common to speak of God like this in the public forum because people believe that others will take it wrong, which is true. But honestly, this man chose acknowledging God when opportunity presented itself, over praising himself. We can argue, and I just might, that this kills a political career...But I found myself asking myself "Who is really in charge? Who really does the impossible? Who raises people into power despite mankind?" Do I trust Him and believe His Word even in...politics? Who would you be, in his position?


This man I spent a few days with who honors the Lord with his words and actions may never be acknowledged for his true greatness as a leader among men. It is always an act of God to be elected President, yet he may never be Mr. President. But this I do know: he will be honored by the Power that Is, in greater ways than I imagine for so boldly acknowledging God before society. Would I be bold enough to take that responsibility and believe in the privileges it ultimately brings, possibly only in the world to come, despite the words of men and media? Besides...who says good men can't be put into office like He has done previously? I want to see God do His thing throughout all of time, don't you?

Neither Deify, Nor Defy

There is something to be said for common sense. Where would we be without those who know to work on the household sockets with the power off? Perhaps the natural knowledge passed down from simple daily truth ought not to be taken for granted. But there is something I would like to say emphatically. Neither deify or defy common sense: leave it common.

The human mind is the center of contemplation not just literally, but also culturally. It is glorified, mystified, examined...and deified...by attention so focused that the magnifying glass of a thought ignites a dangerous flame of over-examination. Wrapped up in intellect, we always miss greater things in faith, spirit, truth, and revelation. Rich in our science, logic, and reasoning we raise common sense and following our inner selves above higher wisdom. What a senseless place to be.

On the other side, there is a cultural craze for randomness. We enjoy random humor, and random arrangements of colors, furniture, or objects. Its a cultural laud to be dubbed "random" as if a spiraling genius is birthed from something like flashing disco lights. So thus, we find people, myself included, finding "amusement" (from the literally meaning "to not think") in defying common sense just because we can. Oh joy. What freedom in being stupid. Be careful of actively defining "avant garde" with the literal action "dumb." Do not defy common sense because in return for "fun," it leaves those who leave it.

So on this topic I will cease to speak. Just take it and use it: "common sense." We should all be aware of that sound practical judgment independent of knowledge, without exalting it above the hidden things of God.

She Said It

When away from family, I find myself missing the strangest of things. I become especially grateful for the individuality and craziness of my younger sister. She almost makes me feel like a normal human being. How I love her. Now when I sit in my quiet apartment on top of my king size bed, I miss sharing that little twin bed at home with the funniest little girl in the whole world. So, I open up the notepad on my Droid  and read some of the things she’s deadpanned lately, that stuck…

•          Hmm. You smell good. That’s almost a plus.
•          Well, no gifts for you under the tree and a day left ‘til Christmas. Looks like you can start crying now.
•          You know we are only such good friends because we do bad things together, right?
•          Oh! I know! You look like a couch cushion! That must be why I just want to squeeze you.
•          I have a craving to make muffins.
•          I’m getting bitter against the people who think I can do what you can do and do without you.
•          My biography will be titled “From Diapers to Diapers.” Its not my autobiography, because obviously, I won’t be able to finish it myself.
•          You know, its my fault you only think people like you.
•          I drool on myself so people won’t think I’m capable of caring for my parents in their old age.

Needless to say, we have a lot of nurturing conversations to help guide this forming intellect. I have at times grown frightened that I may become more like her than she like the content of our frequent motivational conversations. However, it seems to have evened out enough so that people can only tell us apart by our midsection and hair. There is something to be said for working out. Now all I need is a new voice.

So as I work this week and plot my return home to hearth and home, I plan to enjoy every moment of her childhood. Its almost gone, really. Even though, thankfully, some people always stay a little strange. I’m hoping she’s one of them.

Don't You Find It Odd?

"Overcoming odds:" it is what we humans do best. Are some difficult situations meant to be seen as otherwise? Before you find me odd to assert the preposterous, allow an explanation…


The day’s schedule has been plotted. Your mind has fully wrapped around the intensity of the scope before you. However, yes, this is also indeed the day your tooth brush breaks, the keys are locked inside, the coffee spills right before that meeting, and the neighbor’s ferret empties your garbage bin into the hedges.

Come what may, we push through the day, gratefully absorbing any sympathy or commiseration offered by apparent fellow Murphy adherents. But perhaps your day is like mine today…The pressure of a new job, home, time zone, and association is rivaled only by random changes to your schedule. I, however, would like to propose that these changes are really “random acts of kindess:” an otherwise missed moment to pause. Suffering aside, would you have really stopped in your busy day to slow down? Would you have taken the time to sit quietly, if it were not for the traffic? Would you have ever changed your clothes had it not been for that Cheese Whiz episode? (Nevermind that last question…But I yet hopefully think you get the point.)

Often it would seem, we turn our actual opportunities into a disaster by merely our perspective. And my guess is, a “disaster” was the last thing needed for your day. But was it really that? Before you tell me that I have no knowledge of how bad it can get, allow me to mention the occasions were upon I have experienced a need for flexibility. Actually, I decided I will not mention these as they include excessive self-incriminations that might falsely lead someone to doubt my complete sanity. Let’s just say that yesterday I lost my keys inside my vehicle for ten minutes, with my boss’ wife waiting as passenger and today after a paper-jam wrought morning doing design work for a hotel, I was rather suddenly caring for a sick friend in her home.

So I submit to you to view your day as full of opportunities not be missed, instead of dreadful interruptions of gargantuan proportion. After all, they can only be changed by you. Have a wonderful day!

Staging Around

Just a little of what I'm up to these days...

Some staging at a newly renovated hotel where I am working interior design!

Photographs by James Staddon at http://www.lenspiration.com/