Titles

“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.”

George RR Martin

We are all given titles throughout our lives. I went from Daughter and Obnoxious Little Sister to Student, then to Wife. For twenty years, my titles of Wife and Homemaker overshadowed my seemingly lesser titles of Teacher, Graduate Student, Friend, and Christian. After my four children appeared, my title of Mother became the most important and most demanding.

A decade ago, I unexpectedly received the title of Single Mother. At the time, I was not “by myself” but my Aloneness was another new title. When we speak of dark times – from which God never promised to spare us – we often rediscover the titles given to us before the beginning of time: Beloved. A Good Soldier. A New Creation. A Holy Temple. A Treasure. Doer of the Word. Friend. Daughter. Heir. Sojourner!

My title of Aloneness brought me back in communion with my Heavenly Bridegroom. My titles, though important, created years of distraction from the title that matters most: Child of God. Now, I still hold many titles – I’m still Mother but have added the title of Empty Nester. I’m still Daughter, Sister, Teacher, and Friend. I live in a cabin high on a hill with distant neighbors, which contributes to my Aloneness. I travel solo all over the world, but I’m never lonely because when alone, I find God.