I remember a short period of time, when my sons were young, spending my days as a stay at home mom. Each day ran into the next and very little seemed to change from day-to-day. If I looked ahead I saw what looked like the same old, same old. Looking back now, I missed the joy you find when living in the moment.
My insides filled with grumbling and if I am honest some resentment. Aren’t we all made for more than motherhood, fatherhood or simple daily routines? Purpose is defined as:
The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. Or a person’s sense of resolve or determination.
For our discussion today, I am going to focus on the second definition. If I look back to my time of being a stay at home mom, I can pinpoint a lack of determination in my daily attitude. I held onto the belief I was made for so much more than motherhood. I’m not proud to admit that.
We find purpose in our everyday, ordinary if we resolve to finding it there. Purpose defines us but we forget that it does not need to be bigger and better. The several years I spent at home felt like an eternity. But looking back now I realize the gift I had in participating in everyday life with my sons. The growing up years pass so quickly and we miss out when we are not living in the moment.
[Tweet “God’s good purpose for all believers is to make us more like Jesus.”]
Maybe you find yourself in a time of the mundane now. Your life passes by in a blur and your routines are just that – routine. Instead of finding the joy in the moment you dream of the day when your purpose is fulfilled. Let me stop you right there, friend. God’s good purpose for all believers is to make us more like Jesus. Do you see Jesus in the ordinary and normal? If not, let me assure that …
You are living your purpose right now exactly where you are.
I loved this question from my Bible Study Fellowship leader – Do you let God mold, while you fold? Even laundry time is sacred.
God’s purpose for you is good.
Being home with your kids while they are growing up, acting as a caregiver or volunteering are worthy ways to honor God. He did not make ordinary people. We are each unique masterpieces created by an amazing Father.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
If you never embrace your right now, how will you know when you’re ready for the next step?
Contentment is a buzz word for many and with that said, it is not the way we usually describe how we feel. God says…
Even if someone lived a thousand years—make it two thousand!—but didn’t enjoy anything, what’s the point? Doesn’t everyone end up in the same place? We work to feed our appetites; Meanwhile, our souls go hungry. Ecclesiastes 6:6-7 MSG
Wow! We work hard at doing what is set before us, but we forget how God will always feed us just what we need, even in our present situation.
Living in the moment does hold purpose. It might look entirely different than what we have set our dreams on and where we hope to be in the future. Purposeful living is allowing ourselves the chance to find joy right where we are so our souls don’t go hungry.
Heavenly Father,
We come before you today grateful for all you do. Our hearts lean in and listen to what you have to teach us. Bless us with the joy and hope of finding you even in our ordinary moments. Show us how your purpose is ever present especially when we find ourselves on the treadmill of life. We offer our souls to you and ask that you feed them with your truth and life. May our souls never go hungry in our search for purpose because we know you are always there. We lift up our prayer to you Lord. Thank you for hearing and showing us the way.
Amen
Blessings,
To catch up on Week One’s post about purpose, click HERE.
I may be joining these lovely blogs this week.
Photo by Lautaro Andreani on Unsplash
The years really do go so fast, Mary. I remember people telling me that when my kids were young. I thought they were crazy. And annoying ;). But like you, I missed living in the moment back then. It’s really something I’ve always struggled with, even today. I love your thoughts here on purposeful living. You’ve definitely inspired me, my friend. Thank you!
I also remember people telling me to enjoy every minute because the growing up years go by so quickly. They were right. But even if we missed out on parts of our kids growing up, I know we both have made up for it. God knows it too. Love you friend!
Awesome, spirit-filled post, my friend! “Purposeful living is allowing ourselves the chance to find joy right where we are so our souls don’t go hungry.” *love*
I appreciate you! I also love that you shared this post on social media. Thank you for being here!
Joining you in prayer.
God bless.
Thank you, Victor! I pray you have a wonderful weekend!
Mary, I love this post. It’s so easy to get caught up in the tomorrow, in the “higher calling” that we forget that whatever moment we’re in IS the higher calling. Your words spoke right to my heart. I admit, there are days when I wish things were different with my boys. But each day, whether they’re in good moods or foul, I am right where God wants me, and that for me, is enough.
Loved what you said here: “Purposeful living is allowing ourselves the chance to find joy right where we are so our souls don’t go hungry.”
There’s much wisdom in this post, my friend!
It takes an intentionality to be present for our kids, husband, friends or whoever we are with at the moment. I now if I look back at how I did certain things with my sons, I would never move on to the present. I missed the boat in certain areas but I look at them now and see how God filled in the gaps and is writing beautiful stories for both of my sons.
I pray we allow God to feed our souls by inviting Him into our everyday, ordinary lives.
Dear Mary,
Oh this post is so timely for me, as I am preparing with the launch team for Chronic Joy Ministry’s latest book, “Finding Purpose,” by Cindee Re. She wrote it for those of us who have found ourselves in a different lifestyle because of chronic illness, but what you have said here fits in so well also! “Purpose defines us but we forget that it does not need to be bigger and better” is so true! Jesus has purpose for us, wherever He has us dwelling. Thank you so much for this confirmation!
God is so good to affirm things for us when we least expect it. I am glad you stopped by to hear what God had to say. I pray the book launch reaches just the right people. I follow Chronic Joy on Instagram and am always encouraged. Blessings and hugs, friend!
Love this line: “Purposeful living is allowing ourselves the chance to find joy right where we are so our souls don’t go hungry.” If we wait until life is figured out and we are ready and this and that is crossed off our to-do list, we will never get around to purposeful living. Great reminder, Mary. I am prone to focusing on the tasks sometimes more than the finding of joy in the everyday mundane.
Good to see you here today, Theresa! I can certainly stall and drag my feet with the best of them. But God calls us to live out our lives daily with Him. I pray we find joy in our everyday and love the mundane that comes our way.
When I fold laundry, I shall be intent on letting God mold from now on! So true. Intentionally seeking Him in every moment to live out His purpose for us….now that is a purpose-filled day indeed!
It’s such a great way to think about how God is in everything we do even if it’s laundry. I pray you see God in the ordinary as you live out who He created you to be. Blessings!
We are all created on and for purpose!
Yes, we are! It sounds like you are falling into a season of knowing better who you are. I love watching it unfold in you.
I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to stay at home with my girls, Mary. Now that they are both teenagers, though, I am wondering what’s next for me. Fifty looms in a few years, and then what? At the same time, I’m cherishing the time I have right now to be with my parents as they get older and need my support … I guess the message I’m getting from your words is to embrace each ordinary moment, take care not to waste time, and trust that God will reveal His plans in His timing. Wonderful message and prayer …
It is a blessing to have that time with our kids. But as they get older their needs change which then leaves us wondering about ourselves. As challenging as it as it may be, when we are content in the every day we are better for all those around us – kids, family, friends, etc. So glad to have you here today, Lois!
BTW- fifty is not so bad!
I love this reminder about finding purpose in the everyday, in the circumstances we’re in now. It’s easy to think that finding our purpose is about changing our circumstances, or about waiting for them to change, instead of embracing our purpose right where we are. Seeking to become more like Jesus is something we can all do, whatever our situation.
Most people do hold onto their purpose as being the next thing that will help them change the world. We believe purpose is always about action and not waiting while God is working in us. The waiting might feel like the ordinary but it’s worth it. I pray we find the determination and strength to always find Jesus and become more like Him.
Praying the prayer with you, Mary. I want to find joy and hope in each moment, wherever God places me, knowing His purpose, presence, and provision are always with me. I admit that when my life became more limited due to chronic illness, my soul was woefully hungry for purpose. I couldn’t understand why I had to let go of passions He gave me, but He is gradually teaching me about that purposeful living in which His purpose is to honor Him wherever I am placed and trust He knows best in how to make me more like Him. Thank you for these encouraging thoughts that prompt me to examine my true purpose in life. Love and hugs to you!
Thank you for praying too. I understand how life circumstances can throw us off track to where we imagined we would be. God does, however, has a purpose even when we don’t understand. I see God working in you through your writing and bringing you closer to Him by ministering to others through your words. He has a beautiful purpose for you and it will continue until He puts the final period on your story.
I loved the years when I was a stay at home mom. And one of my favorite parts of teaching was the shared vacations with my girls, especially the summer when I was a stay at home mom. Now retired, I’m finding God’s purpose in new ways and finding joy in the everyday moments He gives.
I love that you loved being home with your kids. It was a bigger struggle for me but the summers were wonderful. It was just enough time together. It’s funny how it takes us so many years to learn the lessons we wish we had learned when we were younger. Thanks for stopping by!
Amen.
Joining you in this prayer, Mary.
Thank you.
I love having your voice join in unison with mine. Praying you have a wonderful week!
Love this, embrace the now!! Great words of truth and encouragement for this mama’s heart!
You share beautiful examples of doing that daily. I love seeing how invested you are in your kids. Blessed you stopped by.
Another reminder that I needed….living in the moment. Sometimes all we need is a smile on our face to keep us in the moment. Thanks Mary!
When I see your travel pictures, I see you living in the moment. I know it looks different for each of us. I pray we can begin each day with a smile and pass it along to those we meet.
Mary,
I remember going to gatherings and people would ask me what I did, and I remember feeling somewhat embarrassed to say, “I’m a stay at home mom.” I especially felt this way around other women who were out there doing something in the work world. Fortunately God helped me see that what I was doing was so special and worthy in His eyes – Mom, one of the greatest professions on earth. I started to say with a hint of pride and contentment in my voice, “I’m a stay at home mom.” It had a different ring and a different tone. I get bored easily and so I do need to ask God to help me find worth and joy and contentment in what I do everyday (even if it is the laundry). Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Being a mom is one of the greatest gifts in the world. It is one of my greatest joys. Being a stay at home mom, however, was not where my gifting was best served. The summers with my kids were always a treat but I always thought I needed to be doing more. I have the greatest respect for those moms that are in the trenches day after day.
God is so good to show us who we really are even when we see ourselves differently. Your story provides beautiful encouragement.