I identify as white, I’m a full blooded German. I speak German, my family is from Germany. And us Germans are as white as they come. But I’m also from the midwest, I’ve never been around culture that isn’t predominantly white so beyond just the color of my skin I am white. Culturally I’ve been surrounded by the mainstream and by the majority, and to say that hasn’t influenced me would be a lie.
I am Christian, not because I was raised that way but because I found it. Neither of my parents were religious, but both of them encouraged me to find what was right for me to follow. I studied and read about other religions, knowing that in my heart I was missing the piece that would lead to wholeness. Faith was what I was missing. I found that love, and wholeness in the phrase “That whosoever believeth in me shall not perish, but have ever lasting life.” That was a really powerful moment. To all of the sudden be overwhelmed with such grace and love that I can only describe as divine. That was the moment I became a Christian.
I identify with the title wife, not because I believe it is important to be someone’s wife, but because I have given a huge part of myself to my husband who has in turn given back to me. He loves me with grace, and gentleness that gives me pride to call him my husband, and call myself his wife. To come home and fall into his arms is all I ever need, and all I really want. So I will wear that label with pride, it’s the only one I’ve earned.
