What's Most Important in Life

Sometimes, I can be philosophical and think deeply about life. Life gets busy and we get caught up in the rat race, but every now and then, we feel this emptiness and wonder what it's all about.

I've been thinking lately. What is my real purpose in life?

Yeah, sure, I'm a writer. That's what I spend most of my time doing nowadays (except for mindless housework). My kids are bigger now and they do most of their school work independently. I also feel, in a way, that as I work hard on my writing and persist even when it's hard, I'm setting an example to them of hard work even when I don't see big results straight away.

But really, in the end of my life, am I going to be satisfied with just being a writer? As a Christian, no. That's not enough for me. I want to feel like I've changed the world - made it a better place, somehow.

On the weekend, we went to visit friends of ours who are starting an orphanage. They've been building for three years and have gone through many trials with getting approval and funding for their project. But now they have a house up which they live in that has three rooms with beds in for some orphans. They have a games room and dining room with fitted kitchen and a small room for a preschool. They even have some jungle gyms up. The place is rustic, but it's awesome! It's away from town in the middle of nowhere, but I know it's going to be full of life. I felt quite taken aback by the way they've laid down their lives for helping children who are born to less fortunate circumstances to what we or our children have been born to. They're not living in the easiest spot. I really respect their dedication and love. I chatted with my friend and told her, "I don't do anything for God." Yes, I used to be involved in mission work in Zambia (more education as opposed to mission.) And I did teach Sunday School for many years and even worked in a church, but of late, I've become so busy being a wife, Mom and writer, that I've had little time to impact my world. It kind of feels dry and lonely.

So, I've determined in my heart to impact my world in some way. Even if it's in small ways like loving other people, helping other authors, taking time to listen to a friend, giving them a small gift, anything. I also pray that God uses my books to touch people's lives in some way. Some of what I've learned about life comes out in my books and I hope that springs forth into someone's soul and they feel a measure of hope or anything good from my books.

Maybe one day, God will open the doors for me to do something really grand. Maybe not. But even if He doesn't, I'm going to try my best to do good with the small tasks I have every day.

I think that's a little bit what Alicia learnt in my book, A Better Promise. She had such grand ideas as a young person of what she was going to do for God. I know I did. I thought I was going to be a missionary or pastor's wife. I'm really glad I'm not either of those because they're not my gifting. But Alicia thought God had called her to be single and only concentrate on His work. God brought Braedon to show her He had other plans. Isn't love what it's all about? Whether it's love for our spouse, our kids, our friends, a stranger in the shop, that's the foundation of how we can impact our world. It's not about grand deeds (although they're good) but about doing the little things every day to make it a better world.

A Better Promise comes out tomorrow. You can purchase it at Decadent Publishing now or pre-order it on the other sites:

Decadent Publishing
Amazon
Kobo
Google Play
Itunes

Opal from Videos by O designed a book trailer for me. Check it out here.