Home Sanctuary

When you still don't know what you want to be when you grow up....

 

It seems like you probably ought to know by now. Because technically you've been a grown up for awhile now. :)

It seems like everyone else got it figured out in their twenties, or at least by their mid-thirties.

But you're still waiting on that epiphany that tells you, "This, THIS....is what I'm here for!" (There will, of course be a beam of light that will shine down upon you and there will be angelic choirs singing at that very moment. You will fall to your knees and open your hands to the heavens, releasing butterflies that will flutter around you in a magical dance.)

I've actually never known anyone who has had that kind of experience, but somehow we all kind of think that we will have "A MOMENT" in which all will become clear, even if it only happens in the Starbucks line.

Last week, I finished writing a devotional/workbook for Women of Faith, on discovering your life purpose. It really challenged me to work through my presuppositions, and ask questions, and truly think about what purpose is all about.

I realized something important:

 

Those epiphanic "MOMENTS" rarely happen.

 

Mostly, we find our purpose by bits and pieces. You might even say, by fits and starts.

And sometimes, we bump into it without much of a plan. One day we might look up from something completely unglamorous and say, "Huh. So this is what it's all about. Cool!"

And that's perfectly okay.

Because you don't need an epiphany to be operating in your purpose.

In fact, you are probably already living it, even as you're waiting for that "other thing," that thing that you think you're supposed to do that's really remarkable, to happen.

Your greatest purpose in life is right in front of you, today.

Purpose is not for tomorrow. It's not for someday.

Your purpose is for today.

It's for the hours you're given today, for the decisions you face today, and for the moments that make up your life...today.

 

Your purpose is to do what's before you, to the best of your ability, for the glory of God.

 

This is what I know: Your purpose is to do the right thing, which is to show up today.

Show up for the laundry, and for the job, and for the people who depend on you. Show up for your art, or that volunteer clean up crew you signed up for, or that blog you think no one reads, or that marriage that feels lifeless. There aren't any shortcuts, and there aren't any get-rich-quick schemes that will put you on the road to "success."

There is only faithfulness in the small things, and trust.

You can trust that God is working to bring about his purposes in you each day.

He sees you.

He knows you.

He has you in his hands.

God's got you.

So if you're still wondering what you're supposed to be when you grow up, just relax.

Because you're already who you're supposed to be.

So live it.

Interruptions=Opportunities

A few weeks ago, an email from our son-in-law landed in my inbox. It was a request for help for a family needing a temporary place to stay.

We knew the family through our daughter, Meghan and her husband Nathan, because the two of them befriended them several years ago and have somewhat "adopted" them along the way.

A single mom and her three kids, struggling to make ends meet, had simply come up short and had no place to go. Could anyone help them?

Tom and I looked at each other. I was behind on a writing deadline. He was behind on his work. Every minute of each day felt spoken for already...and yet somehow we both knew this was something we were supposed to do.

We said yes to the "interruption."

The mom, Toni (name has been changed), works weekend nights. She has always been willing to take difficult jobs, even those with low pay and poor hours, to support her family. A country girl from Arkansas, she dreams of one day having a house for her family.

The oldest daughter, age 16, is sweet and helps her mom as much as she can. She was born with Spina Bifida, something I'm just now learning about. It's a birth defect that brings a host of side issues: learning challenges and balance problems are a couple of them. 

The boy is eleven. He follows his favorite sports teams (Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys) and likes math and science.

The youngest girl is ten. She is a born actress, and loves to read books aloud with great expression! She simply sparkles.

 

Our "empty nest" has become home to four extra people this month, but already we've seen this "interruption" become a huge opportunity for miracles.

 

A home, within walking distance of ours, went up for lease on the very day we gave up looking for an apartment for her. It is within Toni's price range, and has enough room for everyone! She will be able to move in next week.

That was the first miracle.

The next miracle happened when we found assistance through a local charity organization that helps families get back on their feet. We left our initial meeting with them with a trunk load of groceries, a bag of much-needed clothing, and an offer to help find furnishings to get settled.

Now, we are experiencing the third miracle.

 

Toni will have just enough resources to maintain her new house once she is in, but the start-up costs of moving in are not possible without help.

 

She is in need of furniture, clothing, a computer, dishes...everything a family needs to begin a new life. In addition, there are deposits due on utilities that make this an extra challenge.

I sent a quick email out to my local friends, and Meghan shared the need with her friends last week...and many of our friends have begun to donate items and money to cover the costs. We are so excited for our dear little family!

Today, I thought I'd share the story here.

Our eyes have been opened to the very real struggle families face, when things like job loss and medical bills force you out of your home.

When the only jobs available have such low pay that you have to work weekend nights to make a tiny bit more per hour.

When your kids don't have the basic necessities that every parent wants to provide, like toothpaste and shampoo and extra changes of clothes.

 

This "interruption" has become our opportunity, not only to bless this one family with provisions, but to make a real difference in their lives. The kids are so delightful and have such a bright future....all they need is a little bit of help to get back on their feet.

 

If you would like to help in any way, we have set up a GoFundMe account to take donations.

 

GoFundMe.com/Toni

 

There is no pressure to give whatsoever. I simply put it out there for anyone who feels a tug on their heart to do a little something. Our goal is $1500, but I'd love to go above and beyond so that she has a small cushion for emergencies. As of this morning, we are almost half way there!

UPDATE: We reached our $1500 goal! WOW!!!! THANK YOU!! But don't stop giving, if you feel led to give. The needs are great, from car repair to shoes, so I've changed the GoFundMe goal to $2,500, simply to encourage people to continue to donate. None of it will go to waste.

Toni and her kids will move into their new house on Nov. 1! We would love to have it filled with enough furniture, beds, and a full pantry that they will feel loved and cared for. I know God is watching over them, and I'm so grateful for each bit of help along the way. If you're in the Dallas area and have household items you would like to donate, just drop me a quick email.

If nothing else, I'd love your prayers today! It's going to be a busy, full week of preparation...another OPPORTUNITY for something great to happen!

Love, Rachel

A Sisterhood, Indeed

 

On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of working at another Awaken event here in the Dallas area. My dear friend, Priscilla Shirer, (maybe you saw her in War Room recently?) does a few of these events each year, and I absolutely LOVE. THEM.

 

Why?

 

First of all, Priscilla Shirer. Can I get an "amen" in the house?

 

(This is from the red carpet premier of War Room)

 

Second of all....

...these women.

They let this old lady be on their young, hip creative team. 

 

 

And third? Well, hop over to GoingBeyond.com for the rest of the story!

 

Some Travel Tips for Your Journey

 

Are you on a journey?  I sure am.

My life has never taken the "easy roads." Oh, there have been some grand views and great adventures along the way. But there have also been deserts and thickets, some big boulders and steep mountains.

I've wondered sometimes if God was such a great leader why He'd take me on such a meandering, difficult path.

And yet I believe that He has always been there, helping me along.

Even in those times that seem so dark, there is something in my heart that tells me to keep on going, keep pressing on. 

 

It's His voice, telling me that HE knows my destination.

 

I love Psalm 84, because it talks about a journey. It's an ancient song that tells of longing, even fainting to see and experience the courts of the Lord, which was His temple in Jerusalem.  And as the writer describes the beauty of God's sanctuary, he pauses to talk about the trip to get there, in verse 5.

 

Here are a few "Travel Tips," taken from this little jewel of a verse:

 

Pack lightly.

Nothing slows you down like unnecessary baggage. Why struggle along with the burdens of guilt, anger, and bitterness over the past? Let those things go.

Right now, today. God is fully able to handle anything you give Him. You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to travel when you aren't lugging big old bags that don't have anything in them but stuff you don't need.

 

Pack lightly, but pack some heat. 

The trip will take you through some dangerous territory, so you need to carry some protection. Keep your Bible (sometimes called a sword) handy, and don't forget the power of prayer. You're never a victim with these weapons, my friend. 

 

Stay with the group. 

Find some good traveling companions, the kind that help you along, not bring you down. Why, how about some Company Girls?? It's important to have people in your group that are familiar with the way, because they've been there before.

We need each other. Let's stick together.

 

Hang on to your ticket. 

That means: know where you're going. When you set your heart on something, it means you have decided on it. You aren't changing your mind. You aren't turning back around. No matter what happens or how discouraging the trip may be, you've set your sights on your destination and that's where you're going.

And you WILL succeed.

 

Finally, know where your strength is. 

Strength for the journey doesn't come from your gene pool. Goodness knows, I was BORN a quitter! Strength comes from the Lord, and this verse tells us that there is blessing in that very fact.

When you are feeling weak, just remember that He has all the strength you need to keep going.

God has an incredible plan for each of us, but sometimes we don't see how or where is He is taking us. 

Just keep believing, just keep trusting. 

Keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

Eventually, we'll get to a spot with a panoramic view that will blow our minds.

We'll say, "Look where He's brought us!  Look how far we've come!"

 

My friends, the trip will be worth the view.