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For twenty-five years, I have been Alayna Endicott. A very good name, I thought. It suited me. At the very utterance of "I do", I became Alayna Richard. Truth is sometimes in the checkout line or on the phone, I forget who I am now and sign or say "Alayna Endicott". A case of identity crisis... perhaps.

I liked my name and I was rather attached to it. It meant I was of the Endicott clan, the oldest child of Alan and Jeanne Endicott, a big sister and daughter. Now, I am Alayna Richard, wife of John Richard, daughter-in-law and aunt. I have an new identity to assume, that of wife. Not a step down by any means, but a change. In having this new identity, demarcated by the name Richard, there are things to learn and make a part of me, as well as things to forget and do no more. For instance, as a single, I cared only for me - my time, my money, my life. As wife, I no longer care for only me when making decisions. I have to take my husband's well being into account.

A change and something to work on incorporating. Doesn't mean you say "I do" and you are the model spouse that puts Martha Stewart to shame. It's a gradual learning process. One with "I'm sorrys" and "I was wrongs", one where you try EVERYDAY to live up to the new and beautiful standard that you have been given.

Now bringing it back to Jesus. When you cross the line of faith, and become a "Christ follower", there is a change. This change is as instant as "I do". A change in which you no longer belong to your old master, the devil, but instead belong to your new Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by the payment of His blood on the cross. And perhaps an identity crisis may be soon to follow. You have a new identity to assume, that of child of the living God. You are no longer who you have always been. There are certain things to learn and make a part of you, as well as other things to forget and do no more. And you may forget who you are at times and behave as you always had, but do not be discouraged. Following Jesus with your life is a gradual learning process in which we explore and assume our new identities in Christ, no longer looking to the world, the media, or others to give us our identities. Instead we can look to Christ and know that we ARE a NEW creation - the old is gone and the new is here... God's word says to "let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." As we fix our attention on God, we will be transformed from the inside out, ready to try EVERYDAY to live up to the new and beautiful standard that we have been given.

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