True Belonging: Rediscovering Your Authentic Self
We live in a world obsessed with perfection. But what if the goal isn’t to be polished—it’s to be present? In this powerful episode of the Redeeming Her Podcast, Deborah Larson and Katie Shive open up about the tension between exhaustion and gratitude, chaos and connection, faith and self-discovery. Their raw conversation reminds us that true belonging begins when we stop trying to change who we are—and start embracing who God says we are.
When Life Feels Too Fast to Breathe
Katie opens the conversation with a moment every mom can relate to:
“I was brushing my teeth at 12:30 a.m. scrolling Instagram—because heaven forbid I just brush my teeth.” It’s funny—and painfully true. She describes the blur of solo parenting, the exhaustion, and that haunting feeling that life is rushing by too fast.
Then, a story hits her heart: an 80-year-old woman wakes up as her 38-year-old self for just one day. She cherishes every moment—the hugs, the chaos, the laughter—and realizes she took it all for granted.
Katie confesses:
“I’m in that season of life. Some days I just want to get through it. But I know I’ll miss this.” It’s the paradox of motherhood: loving the chaos while longing for rest.
Faith, Aging, and the Search for Authenticity
Deborah reflects on her own journey—decades ahead in wisdom but still learning what it means to be authentic.
“Somewhere in your heart, you know—you’re going to miss this. That’s the Spirit reminding you: treasure where you are.” She laughs about aging, skincare routines, and post-menopausal acne—but behind the humor lies a deeper truth: identity isn’t found in the mirror.“ We do too much or too little because of identity. The experiences of life shape how we see ourselves—and sometimes that lens doesn’t even belong to us.”
Authenticity, Deborah says, is the courage to look in the mirror and recognize who you’ve become—and who God is still shaping you to be.
The Spirit of True Belonging
At the heart of this conversation lies one breathtaking truth from Deborah:
“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world.” Faith isn’t a checklist—it’s relationship. And belonging doesn’t come from approval; it comes from honesty. Katie adds, “I feel like I’m starting to finally trust myself—not from arrogance, but from trusting who He is in me.”
That’s the essence of spiritual maturity: trusting God enough to trust the version of you He’s creating.
Living Vulnerably in a Polished World
Both women reflect on how easy it is to hide behind filters—literal and figurative. Katie, who works in digital strategy, points out that even authenticity has become “a brand.” “The more perfect things get, the more people tune out. People crave real connection.” Deborah agrees: “Truth isn’t polished—it’s raw. Vulnerability lets the Spirit surface what’s real.”
It’s a call to all women—mothers, daughters, professionals—to live unfiltered. To stop performing and start connecting. To show up as the person God handcrafted, not the persona the world expects.
Faith Without a Plan B
Toward the end of the episode, Deborah shares a vulnerable story about buying a new home and facing financial uncertainty. When her husband mentions a “Plan B,” she responds firmly: “Jesus doesn’t give us Plan B. We walk in faith and trust that He’ll work it out according to His plan.”
That simple conviction—faith over fear, authenticity over control—captures what Redeeming Her stands for.
Final Reflection: Be Who You Are
Deborah closes with this reminder:
“True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are. It requires you to be who you are.” And Katie sums it up with her trademark warmth: “That’s what I love about this podcast—it feels like coffee with a friend. Real, raw, and redemptive.”
If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing yourself in the noise of motherhood or the pressure of perfection—this episode will feel like a deep breath for your soul. Then you stop trying to become someone else and start rediscovering who God made you to be.
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