Who am I, really? Who was I created to be?
Growing up, these questions constantly plagued my thoughts.
I was obviously created female, and I was sure God had a purpose for my life, but I never quite
understood the relationship between who I was and my purpose here on earth. I heard con icting
messages about womanhood from the media, family, friends, and acquaintances. I didn’t fully
understand the feminine mystique, but what I did know was that I did not t perfectly into the
much-touted “ideal” feminine mold.
Many women, like me in the past, fail to see themselves as they truly are, and fail to understand
the fullness of what they have the potential to become. Sure, they put on a brave face and keep
on moving, but inside, they have a deep-seated sense of emptiness and futility. I felt that same
frustration until God’s Word set me free!
rough this process of God working to reveal the true “me,” I have been inspired to see myself
as a deliberate work of creation--not as a mistake. I have been inspired to see myself as woman,
grown up from girl, imperfect but wholly beautiful. I have been inspired to enjoy who I am, and
to look forward to who I want to, hope to, become--
I found my voice.
Take a deep breath; your journey has also begun. I may not know where you are now or where
your steps will take you, but destiny will lead you on. Let us walk together. Let’s be inspired to
see our womanhood as a gift to be unwrapped daily and our beings as beautiful.
Who am I, really? Who was I created to be? Growing up, these are the questions that constantly plagued my thoughts. I was obviously created female, and I was sure God had a purpose for my life, but I never really understood the relationship between who I was and my purpose here on earth. I heard conflicting messages about womanhood from the media, family, friends, and acquaintances. I didn't totally understand the feminine mystique, but I did know that I didn't fit perfectly into the much-touted "ideal" feminine mold. Many women, like me in the past, fail to see themselves as they really are and fail to understand the fullness of what they have the potential to become. Sure, they put on a brave face, but inside, they have a deep-seated sense of emptiness and futility. I felt that same frustration until God's Word set me free! Through the process of God working in me, I have been inspired to see myself as a deliberate work of creation. I have been inspired to see myself as woman, grown up from girl, imperfect but wholly beautiful. I have been inspired to enjoy who I am and look forward to who hope to, become-- I found my voice. Take a deep breath; your journey has also begun. I may not know where you are now or where your steps will take you, but destiny will lead you on. Let us walk together. Let's be inspired to see our womanhood as a gift to be unwrapped daily and our beings as beautiful. The Voice of One Woman is the first book by Adepero Mettabel Okulaja, MD, a practicing internal medicine physician in Bloomington, Minnesota. Dr. Okulaja continues to write as she pursues her other passion: the art of healing body, soul, and spirit.