Discovering Our True Identity as Mothers
By: Kathryn Italia, MD
As mothers, we often wrestle with questions of identity. Whether adjusting to life with a newborn, navigating the teen years, or watching our children leave home, motherhood continually challenges and reshapes us. Many of us build our identities on professional achievements, personal accomplishments, or specific roles. Yet amid motherhood’s constant changes, we may find ourselves asking: Who am I, really?
Nicole founded Hello Eema with this journey in mind. As she and I discovered through our own experiences, our worth isn’t found in what we do, but in whose we are. Scripture reminds us of this with the following quote from Psalm 139:
“You formed my innermost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works!”
— Psalm 139:13–14
The truth that we are wonderfully made by God forms the foundation of our identity. Yet it can be challenging to hold onto in seasons of change.
In 2022, I had the opportunity to transition out of private practice pediatrics to stay home with my children. While I felt deeply blessed to be with them more, the shift initially left me questioning my identity. For more than fourteen years, I had defined myself as a physician. Who was I now? I wrestled with this question for several months. Ultimately, I realized that for years I had been defining myself by what I did or the roles I played. But this time of transformation finally helped me understand whose I was. I am a child of God.
Similarly, Nicole’s journey led her through an unexpected season of stepping away from nursing. The profession that had shaped her identity suddenly shifted, leaving her wrestling with questions of purpose and worth.
“Through this difficult season,” she shares, “God revealed a profound truth: I had placed my worth in my profession rather than in Him. It took stepping away from my work to realize that my primary identity isn’t as a nurse, a wife, or even a mother—it is as a beloved daughter of God.”
Our stories may differ, but the journey to discovering our true identity follows a similar path. Through life’s transitions and challenges, God invites us to look deeper than our roles and achievements to find who we truly are.
Finding Our True Identity
Embracing this truth isn’t easy. Whether we’re struggling through sleepless nights and endless diaper changes, managing busy schedules and homework battles, or learning to parent adult children from afar, motherhood constantly tests our sense of self. Yet in these moments, we can find strength through adoration, Bible study, and prayer. These practices help us relearn an important truth: our identity is not earned or achieved; it is bestowed.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
— Romans 8:14
This truth transforms everything. When we embrace our identity as beloved daughters of God, it frees us from the weight of the world’s impossible standards. We no longer need to prove our worth by being the “perfect mom.” Our worth comes from whose we are, not what we do.
We see this truth beautifully illustrated in the story of the hemorrhaging woman (Mark 5:25–34). Despite her suffering and feelings of unworthiness, she reached out to Jesus in faith. In that moment, Jesus didn’t just heal her; He called her “daughter.” Even in her brokenness and struggle, He affirmed her true identity. This is what Jesus does for each of us. He accepts us as we are and reminds us that we are His daughters.
As mothers, embracing our true identity allows us to parent from a place of security rather than anxiety, to care for our bodies with gratitude rather than judgment, and to face challenges knowing we are all God’s beloved daughters.
Daily Rhythms to Stay Grounded in Your Identity
No matter what season of motherhood you’re in, here are practical ways to ground yourself in your true identity:
1. Begin Each Day Rooted in Truth
Before checking your to-do list or responding to your child’s needs, take a moment to remember: you are His beloved daughter.
2. Create Sacred Pauses
Transform routine moments such as feeding your baby, folding laundry, or preparing meals into quiet moments of prayer and connection with God.
3. Keep Truth Visible
Place Scripture verses about your identity in Christ where you’ll see them often: by the changing table, near the kitchen sink, or on your bathroom mirror.
4.Pray When You Are Overwhelmed
When you feel stretched thin, pause and pray: “Lord, remind me that my worth comes from You, not from what I accomplish today.”
5. Walk in Fellowship
Share your journey with others. Join or start a prayer group or Bible study for mothers to find encouragement, accountability, and grace together.
These practices are not just spiritual exercises. Instead, they are ways to live more fully as mothers, where our spiritual and physical wellbeing are deeply interconnected.
Hello Eema’s Mission
The name Eema comes from what Jesus calls Mary in The Chosen. It’s a tender reminder that we’re all beloved daughters of God, following in our Heavenly Mother’s footsteps. “Hello” is our greeting of recognition and hope: You are seen and not alone.
Hello Eema understands that true wellness encompasses both body and spirit. Drawing from our medical backgrounds and experiences as mothers, we offer a unique perspective where faith and healthcare converge. We believe that nurturing whole health begins with understanding our identity in Christ. This identity forms the foundation from which we can care for ourselves and our families physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Join us at Hello Eema as we walk this path together—nurturing whole health through the freedom of knowing whose we are.
We invite you to subscribe to the Hello Eema Facebook and Instagram accounts for more spiritual encouragement, practical health guidance, and updates. Let us embrace this journey together!