The Only Title You'll Ever Need

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. – 1 John 3:1

About five or six years ago, I applied for and was actually accepted into a doctorate program. I had filled out all the paperwork, turned in all of my references, talked to the school admissions person and could have started towards becoming Dr. Leigh Ann Webb. It was a title I had always wanted and was one of my last lifelong educational goals that I really desired to achieve.

But, as I looked at my children and my husband who needed me, I decided it wasn’t very important in the scheme of my life. The title of Dr. just did not fit into who I was intended to be. It was a title I did not actually need. And I think many of us give ourselves titles that we do not need. Do any of these titles fit you?

Worrier… Fearful… Discouraged… Anxious… Insecure… Dissatisfied… Pessimist… Doubter… Depressed… Disappointed… Stressed… Unworthy… Sometimes without even knowing it, we gradually take on these burdensome titles that take over our thought lives, infiltrate into our relationships and suddenly define who we think we are.

But that is not who God says we are.

God bestows on us the greatest title that extends beyond just the earthly appellations.

He calls us “His Child.” And as His child, we can take those old titles we gave ourselves and instead they become these:

Trusting… Courageous… Encouraged… Calm… Confident… Contented… Optimist… Believer… Overjoyed… Hopeful… Relieved… Worthy…. So throw off those unhealthy titles you have given to yourself over the years. Rid yourself of those titles maybe others have given you, as well. The only title that will really ever matter is the one that God gives you as His beloved child. It’s the only title you will ever really need.

But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

My name is Leigh Ann Webb. My husband and I have made our home of 29 years in the rural countryside of Eastern North Carolina. We have two adult sons named Caleb and Jonathan who keep our lives interesting all the time as they venture out into early adulthood. I have a wonderful calling as a high school English teacher where I have spent the past 26 years being blessed by the students who have come through my classroom door.

When I am not teaching I am typically being bossed around by a 16 pound dachshund, Beethoven, who believes he is the ruler of our home. God has given me so much in my life and I simply want to write what He lays on my heart in the hopes that someone else will feel His encouragement and presence through my words.