Hi, I'm Jane Doe!

Hello, my name is Jane Doe! I’m filling in for Tamika while she’s away this weekend. She’ll be upset if she knew I was here, but I thought it would be a great idea to formally introduce myself. Well, we’re already kinda acquainted with one another, but it’s nice to be on this side of meeting you for once. I know I just confused you, so let me explain.

I am a universal being that can change the true identity of a woman. When she becomes so consumed with what she does and what she’s involved in rather than who she truly is, I step in and take over. I blind her from her true identity and hide it from those around her as well. When she greets someone with that fake closed mouth smile, that’s me! When she changes her voice when talking to a particular group of people…yup, that’s me! When she goes along with something that she really doesn’t agree with just to please others, THAT’S ME TOO! I am everything that she pretends to be to impress others and to make her seem picture perfect. I know some of you may think that I don’t exist, but I’ve showed up in your life as well.

You don’t remember? Let me refresh your memory…

….do you remember that time you kept going back to that guy that was no good for you and you couldn’t figure out why you were doing it? Guilty!!! Please don’t be mad at me. I just thought he would really change since he told you he would. I never thought that after you gave him your all that he would treat you like that. But look at the bright side…he’s with someone else and you don’t have to worry about him anymore.

…oh and do you remember all those times you let people volunteer you for stuff that you didn’t want to do and they made you feel guilty anytime you wanted to think about it? Yeah! I put my hand over your mouth every single time (SORRY)!!! I thought if you were quiet, they would stop asking you to do stuff. Maybe God will add more time and money to your future. He does that type of stuff, right?

…and don’t get me started on all the family secrets that had a big part in my existence in the first place. I’m just gonna leave that one alone. There’s not enough time in life to explain it.

So, you get me now. I came about based on the need of the situation. Now, while all of this is enjoyable for me, I must admit that some of you have me showing up for the same matter over and over again or for multiple matters at a time. Can I put in a special request for you to do something different? I mean, it’s cool and all but—and this is going to sound strange coming from an identity snatcher—don’t you get tired of living like this? I enjoy spending time with you Sis, but you do know that having me around is an option, right? Listen, I know that it’s challenging when you’re experiencing a heartache, when you haven’t been taught the proper way to sift through your feelings or when you just don’t know what to do. But I think in the Bible it says in 1 Peter 5:6-7 (MSG) “So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; He’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.” Now, if I, a being that’s not of God, knows that then it’s important for you to know it to.

I heard Tamika say it once while she was praying about not feeling like herself. She kept saying over and over again, “Lord, give me a clean heart and renew in me the right Spirit. Lord, give me a clean heart and renew in me the right Spirit. Lord, give me a clean heart and renew in me the right Spirit.” The more she said it the more offended I became. I was like “Whatchu mean the ‘right Spirit?’ I am the ‘right Spirit Sis. I was the right one when you yelled at that guy when he cut you off in traffic and I was the right one when you told that woman at your church to mind her business when she asked you when you were getting married.” The nerve of her. So, as I normally do, I was going to interrupt her thoughts and feelings to remind her of who I was and then God intervened and told me to leave. And we both know when God says “move” you better move without question.

Tamika knew in that moment that when I went away, she had her own identity. She’s now making her own decisions unapologetically, she’s finally doing some of the things that she’s always wanted to do and she’s beginning to manifest things that she’s believing God for. So, having me around is not something that you have to do. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m always ready to cut up and act a fool, but if you don’t feel like that anymore, just do what Tamika did and ask God to give you a clean heart and renew in you the right Spirit.

Alright y’all, I gotta go now. A woman is going through her man’s phone again. I’ll catch y’all another time, but just know that I will always be here for you.

See you later (or sooner),

Jane Doe