Do you know who you are?
Do you remember your first job?
If so, chances are that question alone made you start to sweat.
My First Job Taught Me the Cost of Forgetting Who I Was
My first job was at my dad’s hardware store as a cashier. I didn’t think the job was going to be easy, but I also underestimated how intense some of the moments would be. There were times when it seemed like a busload of people were all dropped off at our store at the same time and then coordinated a synchronized departure time. It was in those moments that an incredible chain reaction would occur.
The longer the checkout line got, the more impatient customers got.
The more impatient customers got, the more nervous I became.
The more nervous I became, the more mistakes I made scanning and keying in items.
The more mistakes I made, the longer each customer had to wait.
I don’t think I need to go on; you get the picture, and we’re all sweating now.
The Day the Line Pushed Me to My Breaking Point
But I do want to tell you about one particular time when I was stuck in exactly this type of chain reaction. The line of customers was even longer than usual, and the other cashier on duty had gone on her lunch break, which meant there was no relief in sight. The customer I was working with was already “extra spicy” before I accidentally scanned something twice. That pushed everyone in line over the edge. I was on the verge of tears.
Just then my dad appeared out of nowhere and casually wandered up to the register I was working at. “Here, Emmy. Let me take over for a bit,” he said as he took my spot in front of the sea of scowling faces. I stepped back and watched him happily chattering away with the customers, one at a time, seamlessly scanning and bagging each nut, bolt, wrench, or what have you. The tension in the air completely disappeared, and the people waiting in line were standing on tippy-toes to investigate why the grumbling mumbles had transformed into chuckles and happy tones.
The Speech My Dad Gave Me That Changed Everything
After what felt like an eternity, the line was completely gone. My dad called one of his team members to come take his place at the register for a moment and gently told me to follow him out of the checkout area. We walked together to a rack full of different candy bars, and he asked me if I was okay. I nodded and apologized for causing such a ruckus, expecting him to explain the steps of correcting my scanning error for the next time.
Instead, he said something I’ll never forget.
He said, “Emily, you are the daughter of the owner. You don’t need to worry about people getting grumpy in line. The next time there’s a long wait and you notice customers start to grumble, I want you to point to this candy and tell them they can each grab one item to snack on while they wait. You are my daughter; no amount of customer complaints or wrong button pushes changes that. You can be confident and take your time. I love you.”
It was one of the most powerful speeches I’d ever heard in my life. I remember feeling so empowered, cherished, and safe. It completely transformed every minute of my work life from that point forward. The long lines didn’t make me sweat any more. I knew who I was.
What This Story Reveals About Our Identity in Christ
And then a couple years later, I realized that God says the same thing to us about our identity in Christ:
You are the son or daughter of the King.
You don’t need to worry about the tough situation that’s making you sweat right now.
If the problem or person you’re worried about feels beyond your control, I’ve got plenty of patience, love, and forgiveness available for you to use.
You are mine.
Nothing you do wrong or right will ever change that.
Be confident and take your time.
I love you.
Standing Confident in Who You Are
There’s a spot in the Bible that says, “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). Today I want you to take on the challenges before you as boldly as a lion would. You don’t need to listen to voices of shame, worry, fear, and regret. Your identity in Christ doesn’t depend on your performance—you’re the child of THE Owner. Listen to him.
