Each one of us are here for a reason. I know that now, but I have to tell you, that truth has not always been my reality.
Too many years of my life have been spent wondering why I’m here and what my purpose in life really is. People like Alexander Graham Bell, Billy Graham, Dr. Phil, it’s easy to see what their purpose in life is. What about the ordinary person like you and I. It can be difficult to know what our purpose is, especially if we define our success and plain old usefulness in life by the acknowledgment and praise we get from others.
Before we were born, God knew our purpose. We were not randomly plunked here on earth simply to take up space. Those years I spent wondering why I was here, one might think was wasted time. I say those years were crossroads I personally needed to travel on my spiritual journey.
Romans 8(28) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (NIV)
I realize now that I was looking for praise from others to confirm that my existence on this earth was warranted. Well, as a stay at home mom, that praise and appreciation didn’t come often enough for me.
As women we have many responsibilities that keep us so busy, often too busy to get the true sense of God’s purpose for our life. Were we really put here to be so busy that we can’t remember if we’re coming or going. Were we really put here to feel dissatisfied with what comes our way.
Some responsibilities certainly are a must. Others we do out of guilt and then there’s those things we do because the rest of the world is doing it.
Our must do’s are caring for our children, dentist appointments, work, laundry, cooking, cleaning, taking care of elderly parents, those types of things.
Some tasks that I do out of guilt would be the things that really irritate me when I say yes to them. A few examples might be, working overtime, over volunteering at school or at church, certain things I do for family members, buying Christmas gifts for people I really don’t want to and really can’t afford.
When I think of what types of tasks I do because the rest of the world is doing them, I think of working outside of the home or having my children in too many after school activities.
It is imperative that we de-clutter our life so that we can see God’s purpose for us here on earth. A few years ago, my husband and I made some major changes in our lives that have brought our entire family closer together.
I have chosen to not work outside of the home. As a shift worker, my husbands work schedule can be very unpredictable. By me being home full time it has made life much smoother, less hectic and allows us to spend more time together, both as a couple and as a family. Our children are in only one after school activity. With having three children, one after school activity seems to keep us busy enough.
When we made these changes, they were difficult. We truly felt God wanted us to run our home this way but what about the extras, what about the fact that our boys weren’t on both the basketball team and the soccer team. In the back of my mind, I had wondered if they would be missing out on something. We followed God’s lead and He certainly has taken care of all my fears.
The extras keep coming. People seem to love giving us stuff, beautiful stuff. My children love being home. They are happier now that they have more down time. It’s time to enjoy their home, the toys they have and surprisingly enough, even and each other.
I am clear now that my purpose in life is to spread the good news in God’s word. I need to start with the family God has given me. In being home full time, God has lead me to talking with, ministering to and helping women in so many ways.
I encourage you to re-evaluate your responsibilities and your reasons for doing them. De-clutter you life and soar in this precious life God has given you.
Sisters in Christ
Wendy Okkema
Yak’s Healthy Lifestyles
Personal Trainer/Lifestyle Coach
http://www.yakshealthylifestyle.zoomshare.com/
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I have read so many books and articles about simplicity since reading Walden Pond many years ago. It's amazing how many people do things out of guilt or because it's always been done that way. I appreciated you personal inventory.
