Labels

I recently finished a book club study on grace. We used the book "In the Grip Of Grace" by Max Lucado as our focal point for discussion. In the chapter entitled "the Civil War of the Soul", the following statement stood out to me in a big way. "You are special, not because of what you do, but because of WHOSE you are. And you are HIS.
I can remember growing up how my own father always introduced us by labels. This is my athletic daughter, or here is my Honor roll daughter. I'm certain he actually attatched a name along with the label, but I don't remember. I do remember that this use of labels tended to promote dissension among my sisters and I. it didn't take us long to figure out who was dad's favorite. I remember feeling almost invisible as my achievments (or lack of them) began to shape my identity. What I really wanted was to just be introduced as "my daughter Cathy".
It is comforting to know that it is not my achievments that God measures. I am not saved because of what I do, but because of what Christ did. And I am not special because of what I do, but because of who I am. And I am HIS.