Making Your Purpose Your Mission

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What’s your mission in life? What’s your goal?

Is your goal clear to you, or like the photo above, is it sort of a general idea with tatters and tears, barely fitting with your life except when you stretch it to accommodate your circumstances?

What is your purpose?

In answering that question, many people might jump straight to what they can accomplish.

I’m a teacher. I’m a doctor. I’m a lawyer. I’m a writer. I’m a parent. I’m a preacher. I’m going to do something that contributes to society.

What is your purpose? Is it who you are or is it what you do?

Your life’s purpose goes deeper. The meaning is more.

Like many, I have a favorite Bible verse. Others have a “life verse.” Do you? How does your life verse relate to your purpose?

Your purpose should be grounded in Christ. It might be best explained through scripture. It might be explained through a statement or a prayer. It might be explained through an experience.

Can you write your life’s purpose as a mission statement?

Linda Dillow has once again encouraged me to think deeper in her book, Calm My Anxious Heart. She challenges me by telling the stories of several women who have found and described their purpose.

Dillow gives the example of Phyllis, who’s life verse is Philippians 3:10–

For my determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly… (AMP)

Phyllis once thought that perhaps her children were her purpose, but “I realized that my children are my platform, not my purpose.”

From her life verse, Phyllis developed a purpose that consists of four words: purposefully, faithfully, creatively and paradoxically. She then wrote out her life’s purpose, explaining each of these four words, like a mission statement for daily living.

What is your purpose?

I thought my life’s purpose was to raise children to love and follow Jesus Christ, and to spread the gospel of Christ myself.

I realize now that my purpose can go deeper and cover more and even challenge me.

I’m currently working on detailing my purpose in written form as a mission statement for daily living in all situations and I hope to post it here soon.

I challenge you to do the same.

If you’ve already written out your life’s purpose, would you share in the comments?

Share with me: Do you know your life’s purpose? Do you have a life verse? If so, have you ever written a “mission statement” type purpose?

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Filed under The Christian Walk

A Little Romance for Those Feeling Unromantic

Announcing the Winner of the February New to You Giveaway!

This month’s winner of Bamboo & Lace by Lori Wick is Debbie Parmer!

Congrats, Mrs. Debbie! I’ll get the book to you soon!

Check back next month for another New to You Giveaway!

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valentines day

Shocking news from a self-professed hopeless romantic– I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day.

Even though I’ve been happily married to my forever-Valentine for years and years, I find this holiday to be a little, well…forced.

It’s has it’s perks, of course– the chocolate.

Growing up, my parents always gifted me with a heart-shaped box of Russell Stovers at Valentine’s Day. To this day I think that the chocolates that come from the heart-shaped box taste better.

My husband and I don’t really celebrate V-Day. We don’t spend money on gifts and I don’t think we’ve gone to dinner on Valentine’s Day since we were dating.

Many call this holiday Singles Awareness Day and I’m all for that. Some of you might be unattached. You might be considering boycotting love all together, and sometimes I’ll admit that I can’t blame you. Romance can be difficult to navigate, and sometimes we wonder if we’ll ever find the ONE. But to quote the ever-quotable Scarlett O’Hara, “Tomorrow is another day!”

So whether you’re attached or not on this holiday, I bring you a little splash of romance to celebrate what we should be celebrating 365 days a year.

This song from one of my favorite bands is so stinkin’ romantic, it makes me swoon. It’s called Never Stop by Safetysuit. Give it a listen and see if it doesn’t melt you a little.

This movie, which I discovered a few years ago, which might be one of the most romantic movies I’ve ever seen.

It’s called The Lost Valentine, from Hallmark Hall of Fame. If you haven’t seen it, you should make it a priority.

Share with me: What is the most romantic movie you’ve ever seen? What’s the most romantic song you’ve ever heard?

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A Foot-in-the-Ribs Perspective Change

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Last week I was giant-pregnant miserable. Like, I-don’t-think-I-can-make-it-even-one-more-day kind of miserable.

The past four days have kicked me hard in the face with a head cold from Hades, including a little episode of blacking out.

Suddenly, I’m not so miserably pregnant anymore.

Because of the cold I haven’t even given the pregnancy misery a second thought.

In fact, I’ve been delighting in each and every movement of this baby, even a foot in the ribs every five seconds, taking joy in the fact that he’s protected from germs and the evil world by my body, which is perfectly designed by God to do just what it’s doing.

My immune system is protecting the baby. Sure, that leaves me with the possibility of picking up every germ from here to kingdom come, but I’d rather be the sick one. I love knowing that this little baby is perfectly protected, healthy, and strong. (Rib kicking strong!)

I’m not so miserably pregnant anymore.

Funny how perspective can shift so quickly.

Share with me: Name one thing that you are thankful for this week that you hadn’t considered or thought about last week.

Don’t forget about my New to You Giveaway going on until 2/14! Check out the previous post for details.

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Filed under Family