On what should have been an hour and a half drive on a weekday afternoon, there was an accident on I-5 that made drive time turn into a 5 hour forced bonding time between myself and a work peer. To pass the time while sitting there, we talked and after a couple of hours, started trying to entertain one another by playing various games we recalled from childhood family road trips. My co-worker decided to play a game of “What’s your favorite?”, which led to her knowing much more about me than I would normally divulge to a colleague. What’s your favorite color? What’s your favorite movie? What’s your favorite food? What’s your favorite song? I can’t answer that one! I mean, there are so many, and it depends on what type of music, what mood I’m in, what memory its associated with, how do you pick one child over the other?! The question actually stressed me out!
So, I say this with great hesitation, but if I had to pick a favorite song (which I’m still not going to commit to), the song “All I Ever Have To Be”, sung by Amy Grant and written by Gary Chapman would have to be on my short list. This song was released in 1980, when I was still a young girl, however, I can clearly remember listening to the lyrics closely and the beautiful simple melody. Even at the age of 8, this song resonated with me deeply. Hard to explain it and I certainly did not realize the degree to which I would need to continue to be reminded of the words of this simple beauty throughout my life.
“All I Ever Have To Be”
Is resting heavy on my head
And the thoughtful words of help and hope
Have all been nicely said
But I’m still hurting, wondering if I’ll ever be the one
I think I am – I think I amThen you gently re-remind me
That You’ve made me from the first
And the more I try to be the best
The more I get the worst
And I realize the good in me is only there because of who You are
Who You are…And all I ever have to be is what You’ve made me
Any more or less would be a step out of Your plan
As you daily recreate me help me always keep in mind
That I only have to do what I can find
And all I ever have to be
All I have to be
All I ever have to be is what You’ve made me
So dear one, if like me, you struggle with meeting the expectations of others or even more difficult, your own, If you are tired of striving, If you feel more loved for what you do than who you are, then let me remind you as I remind myself.
- God made you, uniquely you on purpose, don’t try to be someone else.
- Give yourself some grace, we’re all unfinished.
- Never doubt for a minute, that even with your imperfections you are mind-blowingly loved.
- We don’t have to pull it off alone. All the good is because of Him and He wants to handle our tough stuff too.
- Stop striving. A good dose of rest in His love and grace, allows us to be who we were made to be.
Ahhhh, I feel better, how about you?
Be encouraged my friend!
Neeserisms 
I love reading your writings, I feel your love of God in everything you write. Your little light shines very bright.