Hi everyone!

My name is Marie, but you can call me “Nana.” That’s actually what my 5-year-old grandson, Philip, calls me. There are things in my heart that I want to share with you, the younger generation. Basically, what I’m about to tell you is what I would simply tell Philip someday.

You could call it “Lessons From Nana.” Nothing too heavy, so sit back, relax, and read on.

One thing I’ve realized is that people are all insecure, just in different ways. Take me, for example. I was asked to write this blog for May. Now, I’m a seasoned writer and an author of a book, yet here I am, struggling for days, munching on uncooked ramen noodles straight from the pack, feeling insecure. What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t like what I write?

How can we deal with our own insecurities? Here are two things I’ve learned through the years that have served as great reminders for me when insecurity kicks in and I’m munching on uncooked ramen noodles again.

1. Be the best “red” that you can be.

There will always be people less skillful than you. There will always be people more skillful than you. And that’s okay.

What they do with their skills is not your business, but how you choose to steward yours is your responsibility.

When I was still raising my three boys, I overheard one of them complaining about how one school teacher was comparing him to his brothers. Don’t you just hate it when you’re judged and compared to another person?

Here’s the conversation we had:

Me: What is your favorite color, Joshua?

Joshua: Red.

Me: What do you think is David’s favorite color?

Joshua: Blue!

Me: There’s no point in comparing skills. He’s a blue and you’re a red. His responsibility is to be the best shade of blue that he can be, and your responsibility is to be the brightest red that you can be!

Look at how God made the rainbow and all its beautiful colors. If all those colors competed and tried to be like each other, we would have a muddled creation in muddy black!

But we see each and every color, confidently staying true to its God-given identity, and it makes for a beautiful sight.

2. Let the Creator of colors define you.

The trouble is some of us are color-blind. Some of us are confused. We don’t have an accurate idea of who we are because of our life experiences or because of words people have said. We have heard many versions of “who we ought to be.”

As the youngest in my family, I struggled with finding my self-worth and my identity. Today, however, social media readily dictates who people ought to be.

I found my peace and my real worth in going back to reading God’s Word, especially Psalm 139:

O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

Psalm 139:1–6 (NLT)

There are a lot of “yous” in that Psalm! All of them pointing to the God who knows me best.

Even Jesus found His calling by spending time with His heavenly Father.

In John 6:38, Jesus revealed His true colors, His purpose for being on this planet: “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.”

No one knows you better than God and no one can define you better than your Creator.

Why not ask Him to reveal your colors too? To reveal to you what you were born to do and the life you are meant to live?

May I pray for you now?

Dear Maker of colors, my Lord and Creator,

Thank You for making me. Reveal to me my talents and giftings, and help me be a responsible steward of my life. Make me the person You have created me to be. Just like Jesus, I want to know my purpose, so I can live it out in the most meaningful way. Help me find my security in You and in what Jesus has accomplished for me. Holy Spirit, I rely on You that I may live a God-empowered, extraordinary life even in the most ordinary, black-and-white days.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, that’s one lesson from Nana. Do you want more? 🙂