Fulfill Your Purpose

Have you ever had a strong desire to do something? You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach that kind of terrifies you?! But, you keep ignoring it because well … no one has asked you to share that story, write that blog or start that Bible study. Or perhaps its because many other people have said it before you … probably better than you could say it. I’ve been there … believe me! In fact, you’re probably not going to read anything new from me that you haven’t already heard before. But, let me tell you … someone needs to hear YOUR story in your unique way of saying it. You have something to give because God created all of us with a purpose. So, what’s that deep burning desire inside of you that always gets you excited … and terrifies you. Maybe keeps you up at night telling yourself why you shouldn’t, but wishing you could.

My desire is to love anyone and everyone, but especially to tell women just how loved they are and tell them what God thinks of them. Here’s why. Growing up and moving 30+ times made it hard to make friends because of how introverted I was. Others started to talk for me and I began to shrink back in my shell even more, telling myself that what I had to say was not important. Thanks to my very encouraging husband, he has pushed me outside of my comfort zone on numerous occasions. But it started with a ladies retreat. I had very high hopes for this retreat because I was determined to make friends. Instead of rooming with my sister (my comfort zone), I asked for a room with other ladies. I was positive that at least one of those room mates would become my new BFF. At the end of that retreat, I did not have a new BFF … shocker … or even the hint of a new friendship forming. Instead, I went home crying. Dramatic, I know. But, this was the very first time I put myself out there and did something hard for me. But, I felt like I failed. However, I believe because of my step of faith, months later I did start to see friendships forming. The next year, I decided to go back to the ladies retreat. Not only did I return home with one friend, but two! Do you see what God did there?

Anyway, here’s my point. Because I stepped outside of my comfort zone and told God I wanted a friend, it grew to so much more than just a friend for me. You see, the friends I made at the ladies retreat turned into going to a book club that amped up my love for digging into books like “The Circle Maker” by Mark Batterson and “Fervent” by Priscilla Shirer (more recently, I’ve been digging into “You’re Already Amazing” by Holley Gerth and  “Peace” by Becky Thompson). These set a fire deep in my soul … a burning passion. I wanted everyone to know what I was learning. Those many women that came to my house for fittings (that I referred to in my last post), I prayed that they would sense Jesus’ sweet peace the second they pulled into my driveway. I had so many sweet moments with these women and it was no longer about the sewing, but about the relationships. Then, God moved Tim and I to Virginia (that’s a whole other story for another day). Through that move I ended up closing my sewing business and wanted to go in full time with the ministry Tim & I felt called to.

There was one day specifically that God got a hold of my heart. I was driving home from grocery shopping and it hit. I had been praying that God would help me to love people the way He loved people. Ever since, I’ve had this almost strange sense of loving people that I know nothing about. I’m not saying that I’m perfect in this, but it’s become a burning passion inside of me to want to grab hurting women by the shoulders, look in there eyes and tell them how much God loves them. That might have sounded a little creepy. Sorry! Since then, God has given me to the opportunity to co-host on a podcast, write books, start this blog and some other things I’m currently working on that scare me to death.

Jen, where are you going with all of this? Ok, my point is, God has been working in you. There is something deep inside you that you are longing to do but maybe it just seems too scary. I want to encourage you, DO IT! Someone needs to hear what you have to say. Maybe you need to do some research first. Or maybe you can talk to someone that is an expert in that field. I want to encourage you to take the first step. Yes, you may go home and cry because it seemed like you failed. But, DON’T GIVE UP! If you need someone to pray for you or encourage you every step of the way, I’m here. You can send me a message and I would gladly become that someone to encourage you. You have a story to tell … a purpose to fulfill. God wants to use you … yes YOU, to bring Him glory.

~ Jen