Here on purpose for a purpose!

As promised, we are back this week to talk about purpose. I am not sure about you, but I spent most of my twenties thinking through or ruminating on this thought. Feeling like there was a destination point to this question. That once I discovered “my purpose” I would have arrived at all that God had for me, including infinite peace, immeasurable joy, and complete contentment. I had spent most of my twenties pursuing an education. I had been taught from a very young age the value of being educated and that college was nonnegotiable. I had no problem fulfilling that requirement, however beyond the getting educated piece I had no idea what would come after that. It was also unbeknownst to me that upon entering college I would be tasked with picking a major or course of study that would further define my career. As this became more evident to me I quickly decided I would follow in my brother’s footsteps and pursue a degree in psychology. It seemed like a natural step for me as I had always admired my brother and hearing about the work with kids he was doing truly inspired me. I had the added life experience of growing up with foster children as my Grandma provided a home and place of respite for children who were no longer living with their bio families. I honestly felt like this was an area where I could make a difference. At this point I was still closely aligning my purpose to a career. I had diminished my entire life’ s purpose down to what I would do for work and eventually becoming a wife and mother. I finished my degree in four years, and spoiler alert it was not in psychology, but I soon began work on my Master’s degree in Family and Marriage Therapy. At this point I was a few years older and had begun to really narrow down where my passions were. I subsequently spent 2.5 more years in school and graduated with an Ed.s in Family and Marriage Therapy. Throughout the course of that program I had begun my life outside of school, by getting married to my college sweetheart. No doubt the best decision I have ever made. Nonetheless, after all of these life accomplishments I still found myself feeling as though my purpose had not been fulfilled. I decided I would keep chasing and hope to one day feel as fulfilled as the peers that I was doing life with. My husband and I decided to wait to have children for a few years, which ultimately turned into 5. Now when we checked this very next life box, one would think that it all fell into place, purpose fulfilled I can rest in peace. However, I continued to have this nagging feeling of not being enough, or more accurately not doing enough. I spent a lot of time evaluating my contribution to my home and to the world at large, and inevitably continued to discern that I was just not measuring up. As I settled into motherhood and creeped through my thirties, I definitely gained a better appreciation for all that mothering requires and the mission field that exists within our own homes. God began to whisper in my heart that this purpose of mothering was dear to His heart. He showed me in visions the work He planned to do to me and through me as I had the privilege of raising two daughters. He has affirmed time and time again that at home with them is where I belong and in the midst of those long days He was doing a great work, not just in our home or in our hearts but for generations to come. I honestly couldn’t be more elated that He has chosen me for this walk. However, it is not in the role of being a mother that I have found my purpose, it is not in the role of being a wife that I have found my purpose, as a therapist or as a life coach. I have found my purpose in and through His word. When we are told or even tell someone that they were created on purpose and for a purpose it is a direct reflection of God’s sovereignty. He created us in His image, to display His likeness to the world and glorify Him. All other roles, careers, or worldly identities will one day pass away. With that in mind we should have one singular focus as we wake up in the mornings to know Him, to be like Him and to make Him known on this earth. Until next time my friends please remember that in Him, you are Enneanough!