One Little “A”

Beginning October 1, 2020, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. (https://www.tsa.gov/real-id)

I knew it was inevitable.
My driver’s license does not expire for a few years.
In about seven months, my license must be REAL ID-compliant.
This is needed in order to fly both nationally and internationally and enter Federal buildings.

I decided that I would gather all the appropriate documents I needed.
I went to the driver’s license center that provided same day REAL ID.
I saw that the parking lot was quite crowded.
I was not ready for the number of people I saw waiting inside.

After receiving two forms that were attached to a clip board, I had to take a ticket.
The machine dispensed a ticket with a letter and number.
My number was 253.
Since the electronic board told me that they were on number 137, it would be a long wait.

I settled into a chair and filled out the forms.
There were twenty counters with workers who would eventually call our number.
People were being served, but I knew that at least an hour would be spent on that chair.
I realized everything that declared me to be me was in a folder on my lap.

Number 251, 252, and finally 253 was called.
I walked up to counter number 17.
I first handed the forms to the woman behind the counter.
I opened my folder to take out all the necessary documents.

The woman started with my birth certificate, which is a different color from the others.
I always thought the fact I was adopted made it look different, though I was never sure.
She looked up at me and I told her I was adopted.
She ran her hand over the certificate to see that it did have a raised seal.

She looked at my Social Security card and back at my birth certificate.
These do not match, she said.
I know, I said, one has my maiden name and one has my married name.
I see that, but this does not have an, “A” on it, she said pointing to my birth certificate.

My Social Security card had my middle initial.
My birth certificate did not.
I showed her my passport, which agreed with my Social Security card.
This passport is expired, she said, visibly annoyed.

To my surprise, my passport was indeed expired, since I last used it in Ireland.
I had two other proofs of name and address, along with my current driver’s license.
Everything has to match, she said again.
I had our marriage certificate with my maiden name on it.

She felt for the raised seal, which was there on the bottom.
This is not the right marriage certificate, she told me.
You need a certified marriage certificate from the county where you were married.
This is the marriage certificate from the church, she said handing all of my documents to me.

Get a new Social Security card without the, “A” on it.
Get a new marriage certificate from the county you were married in.
Get a new passport.
Then come back and get your REAL ID.

I felt my neck and cheeks get red with the blotches that usually come at times like this.
I took all of my documents, the only documents I ever had, and left the building.
I was annoyed, tired, frustrated, and confused.
How did every important paper I had, declaring who I was, suddenly turn out to be wrong?

I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)

I thought about how my documents were not sufficient.
I know who I am.
These documents are the only ones I have or have ever had.
The government needs all of these documents to agree.

One little “A” made a difference.
One “A” does indeed make a difference.
The Alpha (Α ) and the Omega (Ω) are vitally important.
No documentation is needed to verify who He is.

Jesus, the Son of God, always was, always is, and always will be.
Jesus is the Alpha (Α ) that matters.
My documents have to be tweaked to comply with a government standard.
But I know who I am in Christ, my Alpha, my (Α ).

Postscript:
I renewed my passport.
I requested a certified marriage certificate from the county where we were married.
I will see if I have to have my “A” removed from my Social Security card.
My birth certificate will always be a different color.

I will always remain in Christ, my (Α ) who tells me who I am every day.