I’m just a…

I found myself saying this in an email recently.

Why do we do this? Why do we downplay what we do? Is it so the other person on the receiving end of our words doesn’t expect too much? Or is so we don’t expect too much of ourselves? If we think small, then we can’t be too disappointed and neither can anyone else.

You’re not just a parent, you are a soul-shaper. You’re not just a secretary, you are the gateway to the office. You’re not just a manager, you set the tone for everyone who walks through the doors.

The thing is, you’re not defined by your job at all. But you know what does define you? How you use whatever it is you do to impact others. You can give life or take it away with your words, patience and willingness to help.

You are a multifaceted person with so much to give. Don’t sell yourself short. Because when you think you’re small, you won’t see all you are capable of. And then the world misses out on you, too.

So, let’s cut this phrase out of our vocabularies. Because we are not just a…we are the only one who can impact the world in the unique way God designed. 

You’re not just a… you are the one and only you.

*Behind the post*

I found myself saying this in two different emails last week. “I’m just a freelance writer”. I am a freelance writer, but I’m also a writer. On my best days, my words impact people’s lives. Before it was “I’m just a mom.” I cringe thinking of how many times I said that. Because parenting is our most treasured roles. We have the ability to help shape a person each and every day. I can’t help but think my readers have also said these things. Whether it’s downplaying a job role or a parenting role. Every day we have the ability to use our roles to affect others, so we should never downplay our many titles.