Being a mom is not my only purpose, but it is the greatest way to fulfill my purpose.
Interestingly enough I had written most of this post when I visited “Passion meets Purpose”, and she quoted another blog which caught my attention…
“Once you discover and embrace your life purpose, are you set for the rest of your life? Do you keep fulfilling that same purpose until you die? Or can your purpose change over time?” -Steve Pavlina
I think that I agree with Steve that my message is the same, but my delivery of that message changes with the different seasons in my life.
” … In a way you have two purposes then: your message and your medium. Your message is the primary contribution you’re here to make. Your message is who you are. If you can connect with your higher self, you know your message. Your message doesn’t really change, but your depth of understanding will change over time.
… Your medium is the specific expression of your message. This is how you express your contribution to the world. You can have a really wonderful and empowering message, but if you choose a lousy form of expression, you won’t have much impact.â€
Do you feel as a mother that you are so caught up in the day to day hum-drum of being a mom, that you have lost your purpose? I do. I struggle with ALL that I want to do in my life, and for some reason think I have to do it all right now! And in that train of thought we often forget that being a mom is part of our purpose.
One of my pastors said Sunday, “There are some good, moral, faithful church attenders, who are out of the will of God. Why? Because they are not fulfilling their full purpose.” This caused me to ask, “God am I one of those people?” I asked my husband, and my sister what they thought. Was God speaking to me? They began encouraging me and pointing out the many things I am doing. I am teaching a parenting class at my church, I substitute at my daughter’s preschool, and hopefully will be teaching next year. And they went on to list other things I do in my community, not least of which is this blog I so love to do.
My purpose is that of a teacher and encourager. I want to help others live a better, happier life by looking inside themselves for the answers. Seven and eight years ago I was a youth leader in my church. This was my medium to reach others like myself, to encourage others to live their best life. Right now, I am teaching my children how to be happy, and encouraging them to live their life fully, shaping them, and molding them; teaching them character, and that the greatest way to be happy is to love others with an open heart. I am writing, and sharing my experience to help others to be better moms, wives, and people. This is my “medium” for this season.
There are seasons in all of our lives. This season of having young children who completely depend on me for survival will not always be here, and other seasons will come. I will be free to do so many things I have in my heart to do. Yet, I am not putting my purpose on the back burner until I have raised my children, they simply become a part of my purpose.
Have you ever watched the Rocky movies? All five were about him reaching his destiny and his purpose. In the 5th one he is sent back to poverty (and I hate this twist by the way). He is so hungry to be needed he begins mentoring a young fighter who admires him. The irony is, this young man turns on him and finds value in all that Rocky detests, and tries to save him from. All the while, his son was there wanting and desiring for his Dad to pour into him. It was his son who valued what his dad had to offer. His son should have been where he found his purpose. As a parent you can still fulfill your purpose by pouring into your children; if you want to pour out into someone, who better than your own children?
I hope that someone else needed to hear this today, but if not it has encouraged me. 🙂
“I am not putting my purpose on the back burner until I have raised my children, they simply become a part of my purpose.”
Amen! I think this jewel of information is what we, as women, have changed for this next generation of girls. We have found within ourselves the ability to raise children AND continue to grow and pursue our different passions. We can live spherically.
I think once we pursue our passion we can locate our purpose and then can produce a paycheck. Perfect. 🙂
I’m an encourager counselor!
I’ve found a lot of christians who seem to be waiting on God to “enlighten” them on what their talents and gifts are. There is a ton of information available (along with life coaches if you have the money to invest) that have been proven to help us locate those things that put us in the Flow of our passion (you know, that thing that causes you to forget time, eating, sleeping because you’re so in love with it!) StrengthsFinders and Myers-Briggs is a good start to pursuing your passion with purpose!
i am a mother of a 6 week old baby girl. it was a surprise pregnancy, and although my husband and i adore C., i have questioned where i am in all of this. i am learning that this is something that happens to all women. right now, she is my priority, and i have learned what a blessing it is that i can be with her everyday and raise her in a Godly way. while i was pregnant, i read a book called Chazown by Craig Groeschel about finding your gifts and calling in life. it really helped me to put things in perspective, and think of more creative ways to use my gifts, even when a young mother with a baby. it may be something helpful to you. blessings~
Good topic! This has always been an important part of being me. My one career goal was to be a wife and mom. I acheived that in spades with a 3rd boy on the way and a 12 year marriage going strong. But I have always felt it was important to do something that was just for me and what God has called me to do. For years it has been music that has defined me. It was my main outlet for myself until recently. I still love music and sing in our church choir, but it is not where God wants me to minister at this time. It took a while, but I did figure this out.
I could not imagine being truly passionate or as excited about anything as I am about leading people into worship. But I am!!
God put me in the right place at the right time and I was encouraged to develop a very dormant talent I have. God provided me with a mentor to guide the process and 2 avenues to use my talent. So no matter what season your life is. Look for your passion and develop it. Don’t be stuck. Keep an open mind to what God is calling you to do. It could be the next big thrill of your life. I just love doing something new!
One of my favorite songs is called “In The Meantime” and it’s a great reminder that all the things you’re doing right now as mom are perfect preparation for the things yet to come. Recognizing times and seasons in conjunction is a critical piece to fulfilling your special life’s missions and purposes. It’s not as mutually exclusive as we sometimes think – – excellent post!
Hugs,
Holly
Holly’s Corner