That is who I am

I so “dislike” forced intimacy!

“Tell us a little about yourself, who you are; tell us your story” and then a big smile.

The telling of me to a group most often times involves them wanting to know “my story ,” a telling of my past.

I believe that is Not who “I” am anymore.

I am a new creation in Christ! He has given me a new heart.

My past does Not define who I am.

I am first and foremost -a sworn follower of the King-a disciple and lover of Jesus Christ

I am Ulrike Grace Shumborski – wife to, singer/songwriter, Robert Leon Shumborski.

I am -a mother of two children, a natural grandmother of four grandchildren

I am a writer of fiction and non-fiction.

I am an artist of pencil sketching and watercolour painting.

I realized the request could have been made clearer.

Did they want to know who I am or did they want to know my story?

My story and who I am are two different things!

I am Not my story.

My story is the journey which has brought me to today.

My story is that which God has used and is using to make me who I am today.

My story is Not finished yet!

My journey is Not done!

I am who I am today despite the twists and turns, the hills and valleys, the mountainous crossings of my journey. All thanks to the faithful grace of my Lord Jesus!

 

My journey is only the path I took to get me to where I am … my journey was and is not who I am. It was not even who I was, even in the lowest, darkest parts. The circumstances of my journey God used to forge my character as through fire to accomplish His will and gifting in me. However, He never left me! Not once did God leave my side or make me walk on my own. Even when I did not acknowledge Him, or was ignorant of His deep love and did not know how personal, how intimate a Savior He wanted to be.

 

Today I have a better idea. Yet His love and faithfulness, the depth, the completeness of it is something so big and God-like that I will never have the capacity to fully understand. It is in response to God’s love and faithfulness – that that has made me who I am today - Not my journey - Notmy circumstances in life.

 

So, again…who am I?

 

I am a loved, cared for creative child of God.

I am a gentle flower in His garden of His rest. A flower which rests under the protective stance and shadow of His oak – the Great Lord Jesus. He provides my sun, my shadow, my sustenance.

I am an artist – both with words and with drawing pencil.

I am a mother of His people; a nurturer, a binder of wounds with His love, His balm of healing.

I am a true believer of God and His callings.

I am an encourager of His dreams and calling.

I believe when God has called someone to something –He has put that dream and calling in the heart of that one and will supply all else to make sure they get it done!

I am the biggest fan of God’s precious children. I desire to see them run, strong and true – the course He has set out for them.

That is who I am.

I love the quiet.

I love the place of repose in His presence.

I love to just be in His creation!

I love to walk out into a wide open space,

-where I can see, and see, and see

-where I can absorb all that space and hugeness!

I love the mountains for what they tell me about God

I love the endless prairie for what they tell me about God.

I love to stand in His creation and absorb who He is!

I love to take strength from Him.

 

That is who I am.

I love to love.

I love to laugh.

I love to cry, by myself – or with those who are crying.

I love to live, sense, be a part of His life.

That’s real.

That is what I am all about.

That is why He made me.

To Live.

To Love.

To Share.

I love to see and learn who God is in

-the gentleness of a butterfly,

-the swiftness of a hummingbird or

-the majestic strength of a bull moose in the fall

 

All these things tell me who God is!

I can trust these images of my Creator every bit as much as I trust the Words He left to guide and encourage me, to strengthen me.

 

I am created in His image!

I am Not God – but His Image is in me – in my being.

 

God purposed that even as the butterfly, hummingbird, moose, prairie or mountain say something of God, show something of God – so He purposed that I would too.

What a gift! What a privilege! That I would carry about in me some aspect of the image of God!

My heart beats in loving thunder rolls at the thought.

That is who I am.

 

 

I am expressive, whether it is accomplished

-by pen with words

-by pencil in drawings

-by the sharing my heart with others or sharing theirs

 

That is God!

 

God does not only want to share Himself with me.

God wants me to share myself with Him.

What a thought…What a glorious thought…that is a prairie wide thought…one to be absorbed. Stand, look, absorb, and see that the Lord is good!

Oh Lord – You are so full.

Right now my being – this fragile vessel of bone and flesh– is full of You!

I am awed.

My journey is Not who I am.

You, God, (Father, Jesus, Spirit) is who I am.

Your love, Your grace, Your salvation of forgiveness and restoration, Your strength, Your rest, Your ability – You – that is who I am.

You in me.

Me in You.

Lord, I bow my knee in love and admiration of who You are!

My Lord and King.

My Father , My God.

No wonder the lilies trumpet Your glory, and the bluebells of the forest ring out Your praises.

No wonder the grasses of the prairies wave in joyous wonder at Your grace and the mountains stand in respect for Your majesty!

Oh my God how all in all You are in the earth.

How all in all You are in Your people, in Your Church, in Your children, in me.