Find Your Purpose

Have you ever had an itch that was oh-so-bad, but you just couldn't scratch it? Well, I have had one for more than a year now. Okay, I'm not talking about anything serious. It's just something I want to do. Unfortunately, a couple of other things got in the way last year. One of them was getting married (which was huge and wonderful.) Another thing was puttering (which is not so huge, but far more compelling and disruptive.)

However, before leaving Portland in December, that "itch" came to mind again. I was having dinner with a friend when we both agreed we were not doing things that were important to us. Sharon and I also agreed - and this is the hard part - to make ourselves accountable to one another in the new year in order to fix this. (This was obviously going to cut into my puttering time!)

Several weeks later, as Gene and I were grabbing our bags at the Phoenix airport, a billboard reminded me of that promise. The bold print said, "Find your purpose." The fine print directed you to a local college, but I took the challenge personally. The honeymoon was over. It was time for me to write.

So, here goes. My excuses no longer matter. It doesn't matter if no one reads this. It doesn't matter if I don't have anything life-changing to relate. What matters is that I write. (Another friend, Linda, taught me what doesn't matter.)

So, in the weeks and months ahead, that's what I'll be doing - writing about silly things, thoughtful things, and just about any things. The other stuff doesn't matter. I just need to be who I am, write what I write, and stop wasting so much time puttering.  

Good grief, aside from learning how to be a wife again (which will be a miracle, not a project!), what else am I going to do in the desert these next four months?

I don't like New Year's resolution. This sounds easier to me. Now, what about you? A blog is for dialogue. It's your turn now. Have you got an itch that needs scratching this year? Something you've wanted to do? A purpose? If you're comfortable sharing it on this blog, I'd love that. If not, maybe you'll share it with a friend. 

At my wedding reception on December 1st, my three-year old grandson, Jack (with a bit of prompting) raised his glass of sparkling cider and said, "This is Grammy's toast." Now I have one for you: May you find purpose in this new year, and share it with someone else, because doing what is important to you does matter.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19