She smiled at me and talked to me happily. I looked at her and her cute small morkie (crossbreed of Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese) dog. We talked about our favorite topic and that was about our dogs. I showed her photos of my two cute furbabies and she laughed that my two dogs were wearing cute dresses and ribbons. She was enjoying talking to me when she asked me where I came from. This lady and I met at San Zhi San Sheng Trail of Tamsui as me and my friend went there last March 31 for trekking and to see the Sakura (Cherry Blossom). My friend and I enjoying our drinks when we encountered this lady with her small dog at the coffee shop. When I started to greet her dog––she smiled and started to talk with us. And then the “question” came. I smiled and told her, “I came all the way from Taipei City.” She asked me again why I can speak English, “What are you?” My answer was, “My father is Chinese, and my mother is a Filipina.” And then she turned her look away and stopped talking in an instant after hearing my answer––she did not talk to me again. I was surprised a bit but remembering encounters like this before that each time people would fondly talk to me and would ask me “What I am,” if I was a Korean or a Japanese––they would stop talking to me each time they would know “Who I am.”
I remember the story of Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman at the well and his disciples were surprised to see him with her––knowing that Jews never associate themselves with Samaritans. But still Jesus talked to this woman and even asked for a drink of water (John 4:1-42) With these thoughts in mind, I sang a song (Who You Say I Am) to myself:
Who am I that the highest King
Would welcome me
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh His love for me
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
Free at last, He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin
Jesus died for me
Yes He died for me
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
I am chosen, not forsaken
I am who You say I am
You are for me, not against me
I am who You say I am
I still will tell what I am undauntedly if anyone would ask me. I will not fear of what other people will think of me or judge me of what I am. Our negative emotions and the words of the enemy can attack our self-images with lies. Sometimes listening to songs like this remind us of the biblical truth that will free us from disapproval and anxiety.
I am a child of God––we are all children of God because of our Lord Jesus Christ. And this is the truth and if anyone will ask you again––what are you––who you say you are––tell them that you are a child of God.
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,” Galatians 3:26.
There are many things in this life that will try to tell you WHO YOU ARE–– your identity deserves better. What matters most is not what your your racial or cultural background; your past or your gender: or your marital or employment status says about who you are. What matters is WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE! You are chosen and loved. You are made in the image of God.
Prayer:
My Lord,
I will be forever grateful of your grace for me, that is my Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him, I became Your child. Thank You, in Jesus Name. Amen.
