I am delighted to be able to have my friend, Mary Martin, as a guest writer today. Mary has written regular blogs for The Mansfield News Journal, Montgomery Advertiser,The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspapers online at Cleveland.com and Bloggers.com.
For awhile, I simply knew her as “hug momma” which
was taken from her website, Hug Momma- a Collection of Stories. As our
professional relationship grew, I discovered she has a passion to make a difference. Mary is a prolific
story writer, strong in her faith, passionate about politics, and a devoted
Wife and Mother. Mary has inspired me
with her stories, support and friendship.
Mary Martin is an artist. She is currently working
on her first book and creating a new website focusing on politics and
news. Mary is likely my most loyal follower, judging by her comments and number
of visits. She is also the only person brave
enough to hit the “follow button” on my website. I am honored to call Mary a friend.
Please give a special
warm welcome to Mary Martin and feel free to comment
and follow Mary on her website
and her journey to success!
Jim Carver
Finding your Purpose
I can’t tell you how
many books I have purchased, or motivational tapes I have watched, or sermons I
have sat through in the quest to answer the craving question, “What is My
Purpose.” I can begin by naming the ones off the top of my head by talented
well known speakers, followed by the ones I checked out from the library, the
ones I did workbooks for, I can spot those sporadically stashed on the book
shelf, and finally, I can check my audio book collection and find a few there,
as well. I, my friends, am a well studied purpose seeker.
I’ve held at least three
professional licenses, had several full of adrenalin bursts into promising
careers each fizzling into unfulfilling monotony. I was like a little girl who
had slid down the big slide with hands waving in excitement only to land hard
at the bottom with a mouth full of sand. Full of disappointment, I’d ask myself
what happened, and why didn’t I see this wipeout coming. I questioned if there
was some flaw in me that was keeping me from achieving what most healthy people
do. Was I a quitter, or perhaps just not the person I credit myself to be? In
utter defeat, I would ask God, “Why?” and reason with Him that if I knew my
purpose I could better serve Him.
Over and over people
would ask me, “Well, what do you like to do?” and “What do you feel the most
fulfilled doing?” I would draw a blank. The pace of raising my family offered
little indulgent time, and with my past ventures not panning out, I had no
confidence to take further risks. Others would encourage me to, “Keep going,
you will find it eventually.” Those words were difficult to swallow, because to
me it meant, “Continue to fail.”
Often, the simplest
answers are the right ones. For me, this has proven true to the “what is my
purpose” question. TRUST GOD. Every failure, every success, every book I read,
person I met, every topic I studied has not been wasted. Every experience was
forming a foundation of purpose. Like neatly stacked bricks and mortar, every
day was part of building who God has created me to be. I couldn’t see it at the
time, but with surrender and a determination to trust God and serve Him today,
with whatever I have today, has freed me from the burden of needing to achieve
greatness.
You have given me today,
Lord, what would You like to do? Perhaps write a blog.
IN His service – Mary Martin http://hugmomma.com