We are who we are . . .

A man struggled with him until morning. The man saw that he couldn’t win. So he touched the inside of Jacob’s hip. As Jacob struggled with the man, Jacob’s hip was twisted. Then the man said, “Let me go. It is morning.” But Jacob replied, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will not be Jacob anymore. Instead, it will be Israel. You have struggled with God and with men. And you have won.” Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you want to know my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there. So Jacob named the place Peniel. He said, “I saw God face to face. But I’m still alive!”(Genesis 32:24-30)

Have you permitted the pain of your wrestling matches to grow you into a better, more caring person? Allow God to unfold more of His beauty and grace and love in your life. Is there a better way? God has a history of taking the least of all and raising them up. He has taken the weakest one and strengthened him. He takes the most insecure and fills him with courage. He takes the least and makes the most. All we have to do is surrender to Him. So, whatever our limp is, we must choose to walk with it and not hide it. It is who we are, and He is molding us into a masterpiece. We are who we are because of our painful past. God accepts us right where we are, limp and all. I hope and pray that today we can begin to embrace the one God has made and allow Him to use us to His glory.