Joy in the Journey - What Defines Me
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Joy in the Journey is published by Graphic Publications and appears in The Bargain Hunter and Wooster Weekly News each week.
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When I was younger, I was Patty. Yes, I grew up as Patty. My mom always called me Trish, but the rest of the world called me Patty. Then I met Mike in college, and he started to call me Trish, and well, that changed who I was. Trish is a different person than Patty was. Patty was young, a little reckless and a little naïve. Trish was someone who found her way in the world as a grown up.
I finished college, got married and started graduate school. Back then, I seemed to be defined by what I did. I worked in marketing and my job was all I had time for and it became intertwined with the rest of my life.
Mike and I decided to move to his family farm, and suddenly who I was changed again. I had grown up in the suburbs of Cleveland, and now I was a farm girl with cows outside of my family room window. How is that possible?
Then my life changed drastically when our first child was born. I was suddenly “mom” which defined every aspect of my life. For the next twelve years, I was a stay-at-home mom defined by my four children, spending most of my time meeting their needs. I was pregnant or nursing for a lot of those mommy-years and everything I did fit around being a mom.
During those mommy-years, I began writing and speaking, which again, began to define me. I lived and died with each book contract, published magazine article or rejection letter. Every time I published something it reinforced me as a “writer.” When I booked large events, I let the audience’s reaction and applause define me.
Now, I have a teenagers and tweens afoot, and even motherhood is a moving target. And now, God has opened a teaching door for me at Malone, and my life is changing again.
Am I a wife? Mom? Writer? Teacher? Who am I?
It’s an odd place to be. In the midst of middle age, wondering who I am now. Like I said, a mid-life crisis at its best.
Then, driving down the road the other day, as I was pondering my life in the scheme of the universe (which is what red lights are for), I finally figured this whole thing out.
I have been getting it all wrong. For forty-one years, I have been wrong.
You see, I am not defined by what I do or where I go. I am not defined by titles, careers or even people. I am defined by two simple things.
One. I belong to Jesus, created to be in relationship with Him and reflect His love to the world.
Two. I am defined by how I love the people around me; not just the loveables, but everyone God brings into my life.
It really is that simple. I don’t always get it right, but I do try.
No matter where I go or what I do, as long as I remember what defines me, everything else will fit perfectly into my life.
Change…I say bring it on!
Come hear Trish speak at the Image of God Women's Conference in Bay Village, Ohio. The events is hosted by Praise-Apella, featuring Inspirational Female Vocalist of the Year, Tammy Trent and 95.5 The Fish’s own Brooke Taylor. To purchase tickets or for more information, go to www.iTickets.com or www.TrishBerg.com.
Posted by Trish Berg 5:08 AM
Labels: Joy in the Journey Column, The Bargain Hunter, Wooster Weekly News
~robinmock