Revelation

I found an email I wrote on January 23, 2005. I think I sent it to some of my friends. I didn’t realize I had it and I vaguely remember writing it. It was a good reminder to me today and I hope it can encourage you.

God is amazing! I just wanted to share something with you. Something so simple, yet it took me quite awhile to figure it out. I have been on this search to figure out what I want to do with my life. And lately I have been looking for a job, a task that I have neither enjoyed nor found very rewarding. Thru this process I have been frustrated, angry, unhappy, and simply… miserable. I have prayed for God to show me just what the purpose of my life is and to be honest, lately, I have felt my life was never going to have purpose. Yet, I know that is not true because God created me for a reason and with a purpose.

As I was praying today and telling God that I wanted my life to have a purpose and be meaningful, it all of a sudden dawned on me… the things in my life that have been meaningful and have contributed to making me into a woman of God have been the times that I have been learning more about God, building relationships with others who have encouraged me and I have also been able to encourage, and the times I have been serving Him in many different ways. And that’s what I want my life to be about. The things that impact the core of who I am.

I always thought, I don’t want to be a missionary, but in reality, as Christians, we are all called to be missionaries. It looks different for each one of us – whether we are a pilot, a Bible smuggler, a lawyer, a fireman, a stay at home, a nurse, etc., we are all missionaries! We are all called to invest in things that are eternal.

So my encouragement to you is this – don’t just work a 9-5 job because that is the norm, invest in something that is meaningful and invest in something that contributes to the eternal because ultimately, that’s all the matters! And for some, that may be working a 9-5 job and for other that may mean smuggling Bibles in China.

I don’t all of a sudden have my life all figured out. I still don’t know for sure what I will be doing next, but it is now clear to me that my life has purpose and it took me realizing something simple to finally see that. But the only way I was able to realize that was by seeking the God who created me with purpose.

May God be with each one of you and may you find God’s purpose for your life as you seek Him.

The Best of 2009

1. Boston. He stole my heart when I held him in my arms, minutes after he was born. At nearly 7 months, he is almost half my height (no exaggeration) and is the happiest, sweetest, cutest boy I know. I love being his auntie!

2. Jeremy + Maren. My little brother married the girl that far exceeded his dreams. I was there when he popped the question and just before Christmas they became husband and wife. They are a beautiful couple with an amazing life ahead!

(Wedding photo courtesy of Kristen)

3. Grad School. I was scared to become a student again. I feared failure, change, and the unknown. The fear eventually disappeared, as I realized I was capable. It has been overwhelming at times, but also rewarding. My mind is being challenged as I am confronted with global issues and becoming more aware of the world around me. With one semester down and four to go, the experience has far exceeded my expectations and I’m getting excited to see where it will take me.

4. Family + Friends. My family is expanding with the addition of a beautiful new sister and an adorable nephew. We live far apart, but there’s nothing like being all together. And it’s exciting to see what God continues to do in each of our lives.

I have friends, new and old, that have filled this year with laughter and insight. I have learned more about myself and what it means to love others. Family + friends, I am grateful for you.

2009 was a fabulous year… here’s to 2010. Happy New Year!

Life & Death

I went to a funeral yesterday. But it wasn’t your typical funeral. In fact, if you would have walked into the church sanctuary, you would have never guessed that you were at a funeral. You would have eventually figured it out, as people shared thoughts and stories about Karla LeMay and how she impacted their own lives. Tears were shed as people grieved, but the focus was on celebration and the emotion most present in the room was joy.

Karla LeMay’s life was cut short by lung cancer, which took life out of her physical body. But Karla loved Jesus and committed her life to serving Him and sharing Him with others. She is now living in eternity with Him, completely whole and free from all disease. That is worth celebrating.

Karla’s daughter lead worship as the service started. God was present and the room was filled with joy. At one point I looked over at Karla’s family and saw her husband and kids with arms raised high, worshiping God. It gave me the chills and a lump formed in my throat. In the midst of their sadness and grief, they were choosing to worship God. It was beautiful.

Various people shared about Karla’s life and how she had impacted them. It was obvious by everything that was said, that Karla truly lived her life for Jesus. She served people in need… friends and strangers. She loved and prayed for her family. She was telling people about Jesus and had a smile on her face until the day she left this earth.

It had been many years since I last saw Karla, but hearing about her life yesterday inspired and challenged me. It made me think about what I want people to say about me when I die. It made me think about what I need to do to change my life to be more like Jesus. One thing I do know, I want my life to be all about Jesus. When I am taken from this earth, I want the one thing people remember most about me is my love and devotion to Jesus, which should impact everything else I do.

Karla LeMay lived a life that was all about Jesus and I have no doubt that as she was welcomed into eternity, she heard the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”