Purpose Driven... what??

If you've ever gone to church, you surely have heard church folk talk about spiritual gifts, or ones calling in life, or purpose. I've heard these catch phrases for some time and, honestly, they make me cringe a little. Not because I disagree with the gifts or purpose... but because I'm not sure where it applies to me.

I am one of those who attends church, serves at church, loves the Lord (though could be loving Him a little more) but feel that I have never found my gift, my calling so to speak. It bugs me. I see these (my spouse being number one) people who are driven towards their calling. They have located their spiritual gift and nothing's gonna stop them. Look out God, here they come!

And then there's me... Reading the fruits of the spirit ( Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control) I feel all nervous and twitchy because I don't know that I possess many of those qualities. Self control tops my "Does Not Have" list for sure.

The whole gift and God's will and purpose for your life stuff is real, but again, I feel like I was left out of that one too. Really, what am I here to do? I cook and clean and clean and cook, I chauffeur, I grocery shop, I do laundry... really, I think you get the picture. So, is that why I am here? To ensure my kids have a decent meal and clean clothes? To be here at night with the kids while Daddy is out for his class? Really? What's earth shattering and life changing about that??

Though the list of spiritual fruits is lovely and something I should really strive harder to embody, I am slowly (read molasses slow) learning my purpose. I am learning that, yes, I am here to feed my kids and clean my home. I am here to support my husband as he is fulfilling his calling. I am here to teach and to learn and to grow. I am here to mess up and to learn from those mistakes. I am here to care for my family. Now, it is not ministering the orphans in Africa, but just as important all the same.

As moms we often feel that we are just doing laundry and that we are just cooking yet another meal our kids will not eat. We fail to see the significance in our work. We fail to see that honoring and supporting our spouse is a Godly duty. No, they are not a tribe in Africa, but they are my tribe. I am learning to be many of those spirit fruits (and fail more often that I succeed) and I am learning that my spiritual gift just may be a supporting role as Scott seeks his. And that's ok...