Testimonies

---

Identity Thief

Have you ever felt invisible? That’s exactly how I have felt for most of my life. Not that I haven’t been loved and nurtured all along the way- it’s just that I’ve never felt in touch with my true identity, the real Alisha Ritchie. Until just recently, anyway. For as long as I can remember, I have always been known as my parents’ youngest daughter, or my siblings’ younger sister.

Now I have graduated to being referred to as Brandon’s wife and Zack and Abby’s mom. Even in church, I feel that I am known as the deacon’s wife. While I enjoy being each one of those titles, I question myself, “Who exactly is Alisha Ritchie?” Surely there is more to me than those titles I carry? It’s as if each label blurs and robs me of the reality of who I am truly created to be.

I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home and was saved at the age of eight. I gave my heart to the Lord during a revival service at our Baptist church and believe to this day, it was the best decision I have ever made.

However, I always felt as though I didn’t have a powerful testimony to share with others. While grateful to live in a Christian home, I longed for an inspiring story to share with others about my conversion. I have heard others share stories about overcoming drug addiction or the death of a loved one through Jesus Christ. Surely these testimonies are more effective than my plain, not so interesting story?

After being asked recently to give my testimony in a small group Bible study, the Lord pierced my heart with the realization my authentic identity is in Him. The Scriptures give me clues hinting to my genuine identification. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am a masterpiece created in the image of God. I am never alone. I can approach God with confidence and bring glory to Him. I am forgiven even though I do not deserve His grace. I am a light to others. I am chosen and dearly loved. All of these qualities point to the same real truth of my identity- I am adopted as a child of God, the one true King.

In John 1:12 (NIV), I read, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-.” No title I have ever held in the past nor in the future can compare to the most precious one of being adopted into God’s family. Knowing who I honestly am gave me new confidence to resolve I am not invisible. God gave me purpose to be seen and heard by sharing His story through inspirational writing.

I first felt the need to write devotions two years ago. I remember the night as if it were yesterday. I was on vacation with my family at the beach. After a fun but exhausting day at the pool, all but me had turned in for the night. I laid on the couch and reflected on the events of the day. With my reflection, I was inspired to write down the spiritual truths God impressed upon my heart. Only having an Ipad available at the time, I typed for an hour that night, describing in great detail how God had touched my heart with time spent with my precious family. It was then I first felt God nudging me to write my inspirational pieces, mainly so my children could have them to see how God had worked in our lives.

In the days and weeks following that night, I wrote what was in my heart and what God laid on my heart. Every day, God used situations to let me know He was there. I started paying closer attention to how God made His presence known. I was diligent in my pursuit of writing and eventually felt led to submit my work to different publishers. Sadly, no contracts for publication were ever sent my way. I became frustrated with this process and wanted to give up on my devotions. I felt as if my writing was somehow meant to inspire others and give them encouragement in their walk with God. But how? The publishers didn’t seem interested and I had no platform to get my writing out there for others to read. Of course, doubts flooded my mind continuously and I was tempted many times to quit all together. But I kept hearing God whisper, “Wait.” I prayed in earnest that if this wasn’t His plan for my life, to give me peace and another direction to take. And again I heard the word, “Wait.”

So I waited…I would take small breaks from my writing and then would feel the Lord nudging me to type again. I continually prayed about God’s will for my life and the words in my heart that He wanted me to share. I knew God had something planned for me but in His timing. I had to learn to be patient and wait.

Finally, after a horrible week filled with lots of stress and problems, I received an email confirming publication of one of my devotions on a Christian website. The wonderful news couldn’t have come at a better time because honestly, I don’t think I could have handled one more piece of bad news that week. But God knew exactly what I needed and provided me with hope in the form of a published devotion. After two years, my writing was going to be read, hopefully becoming a blessing to others.

It has truly been amazing to see how God is working in my life and making His presence known daily. He has shown me that through my struggles in realizing my true identity in Him and in my writing career, I have grown into a more mature Christian, learning to depend on Him in a deeper way. He affirms I am not invisible and that my testimony can touch others, in His hands. He has given me purpose to share His story and relentless love through my writing, thus strengthening my personal testimony.

God’s persistent tugging on my heart to continue writing, even when it seemed hopeless, has led me to where I am today. Sharing my heart and pointing others to Jesus through writing is what I was created to do, at least in this season of my life. I am thankful God never gave up on me and that I never gave up on the dream He laid on my heart two years ago. He surely blessed me with a story to share, all in His timing.

My prayer for you is to have assurance of your true identity. Trust in God to show you just how special you are and His plan for your life. Make a commitment to share your testimony with others so your Heavenly Father may be glorified. After all, when I think of the legacy I hope to leave, I aspire my life fosters no question as to my true identity-an adopted daughter of the Most High God.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE