Snowfalls and identity

The snow swirled around us furiously as we walked across campus. We had just finished watching the third Lord of the Rings movie, and the combination of the lingering emotions from the film and the hushed scenery meant there were few words passing between us. There was little to interrupt the crunch of our boots in the freshly fallen snow, and we were both perfectly content with the silence. We are friends and sisters and there’s no pressure to make small talk.

“I was watching a TV show late last night.” She paused, I waited, a muted “mmmm” escaping my lips, as I anticipated some commentary on American culture.

“One character said to another, ‘What would happen if the thing that you work so hard for, that gives you your identity and purpose, was taken away from you?'” She paused again. I started prepping a mini sermon in my head, little expecting that she was about to become the teacher and I the student. Little expecting that she had words I needed to hear. I glanced over, and caught the joyous grin erupting on her face.

“I just got so excited at that moment! Because I realized that there’s no one and nothing that can take away what gives me my identity. I’ve found the one thing in this world that can’t be changed. I was so happy that I wanted to tell someone, but it was late and everyone was asleep.” The wonder and excitement in her voice was palpable. With childlike glee, she jogged a few steps ahead so that she could slide along the road on the newly fallen snow.

I followed behind. Halted in heart and mind by her beauty and wisdom. And reflecting. Where am I placing my identity? In being a good teacher? A good teammate? A good photographer? A good writer? A good daughter? Ultimately, all of these should not be what defines me. Ultimately, if any of these were to change and be taken away from me, my identity should remain strong.

I am a beloved daughter of the King. And no one and nothing can take that from me. And that, my friends, is a beautiful thing. Even more beautiful than the sparkle of a freshly fallen snow under a starlit sky.