What is the meaning of life?
Way to start off with an easy question, right?
For some reason these thoughts have been in my head lately.
What is MY purpose?
It has to be more than me cleaning house and running errands or even working a 9 to 5 job.
Doesn't it?
Taking great care of your family and being content right where you are...is that not biblical?
And I am content and I love taking care of my family but.....
am I suppose to be doing more for God's kingdom?
I love God and I go to church and I try to be a shining light for God's kingdom and I've witnessed to people
I read my Bible and I pray
but sometimes I think I should do something drastic!
I'm in awe of missionaries......drop everything and serve others.
Why not be a missionary?
Because my husband doesn't have that calling on his life.
I could do small trips with the church and I am going to do that.
Will that quiet the pulling of my heart?
I've been here before and I volunteered more at my church and I taught a class and I was miserable.
Does that mean that it was not my calling?
Are we suppose to do it anyway?
I've been reading Miss Minimalist and that is almost laughable because I am more like a hoarder
but I am so very intrigued at the stories on her blog.
It really just shoves it in my face that I have let "things" become too important to me.
So if I am not running around buying things or redecorating or fixing up or repainting or baking cupcakes or
making wreaths or shopping
then what do I do?
Is that so wrong?
I was meant for more.....wasn't I?
“Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it.”
― Ellen Goodman
― Ellen Goodman
Everything is meaningless except for spreading God's love and leading people to Christ.
But how do you balance that with life?
I truly could move into a cabin in the woods, be self sufficient and be perfectly happy.
Living a simple life.
But is that selfish?
That's not really reaching out to other people.
And that's not my husband's dream....he owns a business.....it's a major part of the rat race.
I have to support him.
He needs me here.....my parents need me here....my boys need me here......don't they?
So many questions!
I know, I know, buy less stuff and do more for people.
It sounds simple enough and I will start tomorrow on doing just that.
And I could wake up tomorrow and think "why was I so confused?..I'm perfectly happy and I'm doing what I'm
suppose to do!"
Are you confused too?
Could I possibly ask any more questions?....:)
Maybe I'm just up too late...
Say goodnight Lisa....
goodnight.
Lisa
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWERS....
So last night, late last night I wrote the above post.
I am usually a very happy, go lucky person but I was in kind of a funk this week.
It's been hot, hasn't rained in weeks and I have been indoors for the most part.
Not that there was anything wrong with the questions but i'm usually content and happy as a purring kitten.
Isn't it great that when we have questions HE has the answers!
Do you know the commercial about the grumpy people who just need to eat a snickers bar?
Well...no...HE didn't tell me to eat a snickers bar...lol....but HE did say "go outside Lisa".
So I did.....I got on the lawnmower this morning and I felt the fall in the air and I prayed.
And he calmed my soul....I felt contentment deep within.
He said "you are fine."
You are right where you need to be right now.
These other things will come when the time is right.
"Keep talking to ME and I will steer you in the right direction."
I couldn't wait to come tell y'all....:)
A new morning and a new me.
Peace.....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharing with:
http://www.sunnysimplelife.com/2013/09/from-farm-blog-hop-and-amish-bread.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/09/dried-hydrangeas-show-and-tell-friday.html
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/home-sweet-home-136.html
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/09/saying-goodbye-for-summer-and-simple.html
http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2013/09/share-your-cup-thursday-73.html
ANSWERS....
So last night, late last night I wrote the above post.
I am usually a very happy, go lucky person but I was in kind of a funk this week.
It's been hot, hasn't rained in weeks and I have been indoors for the most part.
Not that there was anything wrong with the questions but i'm usually content and happy as a purring kitten.
Isn't it great that when we have questions HE has the answers!
Do you know the commercial about the grumpy people who just need to eat a snickers bar?
Well...no...HE didn't tell me to eat a snickers bar...lol....but HE did say "go outside Lisa".
So I did.....I got on the lawnmower this morning and I felt the fall in the air and I prayed.
And he calmed my soul....I felt contentment deep within.
He said "you are fine."
You are right where you need to be right now.
These other things will come when the time is right.
"Keep talking to ME and I will steer you in the right direction."
I couldn't wait to come tell y'all....:)
A new morning and a new me.
Peace.....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharing with:
http://www.sunnysimplelife.com/2013/09/from-farm-blog-hop-and-amish-bread.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/09/dried-hydrangeas-show-and-tell-friday.html
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/home-sweet-home-136.html
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/09/saying-goodbye-for-summer-and-simple.html
http://jannolson.blogspot.com/2013/09/share-your-cup-thursday-73.html
12 comments:
You are preaching to the choir here! The past few months I've really been pondering this same thing myself. I'm turning 30 next February, so I'm kind of trying to look into the next few years and see how I want my life to look. There are things I'm not totally happy with, so I'm trying to change that. And I feel like I do have a specific purpose and am meant to do more good, but I haven't found exactly what that is yet. Maybe that's what life is all about? Finding exactly what you are meant to do. Some people find it early on, but I think for many people it takes a while.
Lisa, you are fine. We all shore up our souls and our pantries in the early fall. It's natures good way of showing us what is really important.
Well, that was my answer for you. Listen to Him. He will never lead you wrong. Sometimes we have down time in between assignments, and there will be many in your lifetime. Enjoy His peace. Just lean back in His arms and feel Him around you. You know that was the devil telling you you aren't where you need to be. Believe me, when He needs you to do something, He will let you know. One thing that I have learned to do is shut up. Just be in His presence and shut up. You can hear Him better than way. ;)
Lisa,
I could have written this post. I feel exactly the same way. I am just hoping that when I hear God's voice I will recognize it and be obedient. Thank you for sharing your heart, girlfriend :)
Thank you Tammy @ Our Neck of the Woods! I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. Praying that we both will find our calling and be willing and ready to fulfill it! Thanks so much for your words!
Hi, Lisa. I think we've all had days like that. Sounds like you are on the right track. From my own experience, I can say a couple of things changed my view and thoughts about life.
1. I read Ann Voskamp's book,"One Thousand Gifts" and started my own gratitude list. Changed my whole outlook on life. I highly recommend it, if you haven't read it yet.
2. I've struggled most of my life with the idea that as a Christian, I should never enjoy life and must not have things. False. Read Ecclesiates 5:18-20 and 9:7-10 (I love reading "The Message" translation for the second set of verses.)
3. I recently celebrated my 52nd birthday and many of those life questions tend to surface at this time of year for me. I recently heard a song by Point of Grace. Check it out here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRufwLKdgU&feature=player_embedded#t=268
Blessings, Ann @ Christ in the Clouds
http://christintheclouds.blogspot.com/
Thank you Ann....I will order the book today and read Ecclesiastes. I checked out Point of Grace on youtube before church and was in love with them....it was wonderful!! Thanks so much for all of the wonderful info..:)
I think a lot of women have these feelings as life moves along. My time to ponder this question is when my life is going great! Shouldn't I give more? I found a wonderful group of ladies, WOW, women of the Word. They say Let go and let God. So hard for us to do. Waiting and listening for what to do next. But I would say you are well on your way!
This is on a lot of Americans minds. I am so seeing that the majority of business by 2015 will be switching to the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and when they do, why will any of us choose to play by corporate rules anymore? It could really turn this country upside down. I am seeing it coming and I am wondering what the new normal will be for the working American? There is a lot to think about. I am holding my breath to see where this goes.
Sherry
Over the past 20 years I have wondered some of those same things. My oldest son is 20 and over the years that I've been at home, I've had a handful of times when I questioned if I should be doing more. There were a few times that I stepped out to lead this or do that, but then my peace went away. My joy at being in my home; caring for these boys and serving my husband and God, right inside these walls, left me. I felt God remind me that sometimes we want to feel important, so we step outside of what HE called us to, so we can please men, instead. Or impress them.
Each time I've mistakenly stepped outside this home to serve somewhere else, God has gently reminded me that this is what he created me to do and that's why I feel such peace and contentment here. It's only when I start looking around, comparing myself to others or start letting the world whisper that to be important, you have to be in the spotlight, that I start to question.
Then I come back, just like you did, and I feel his presence and I know it's where I belong - making disciples of these two awesome boys he's given me and serving this hard working husband he's blessed me with.
This post was precious. I loved it.
Girl your photos are amazing.
Harvest Lane Cottage
Lisa, this is a touching post. I do think that we all need to do a little bit more. I also feel that God wants us to be happy and enjoy this earthly life. There is a season for everything. Right now it's your family and supporting your husband. I get like this sometimes and think that I should simplify. Then I turn around and buy another vintage treasure. lol! Good thing God has a sense of humor. I just need to try and improve each and every day and be thankful. Yes, thankfulness is the key! Thanks for sharing this inspiring post with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
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