Live. Love. Lead.

     Mission. Purpose. Know your calling. To me, those words and phrases mean something. The fact is, every single one of us want to know why we are here. For, what purpose are we where we are? Then, let's go a step further. I submit that for us to know why we are here (our calling/purpose/mission); we must also be in tune with who we are (our identity). It is the "who" and the "for what" that so often eludes individuals, families, organizations; you name it. So often when we and others are confronted with this question of purpose we say or think things like, "to make the world a better place" or "to leave this earth better than I found it." Those are helpful sayings, but lack the specificity and the uniqueness each of us long to actualize.      As I was thinking about this age-old enigma, I also "happened" to be studying through the book of Judges. One of my all-time favs is the work God did on Gideon. Gideon is such the picture...

     It feels like I often hear people say, "Well I know who I am" in response to times of critique or anxiousness.  This statement is helpful; but if devoid of the practice of becoming who one is...or I should say "who one is intended to be"; then such a knowledge is ineffective for the individual mission we all are commissioned to carry out.      From everything I see and read in the Word, we are created to know who God has intended us to be and then work at becoming it everyday.  Let's not leave knowledge of our identity at the theoretical level; nor allow our identity to be birthed out of the anxiousness that exists in our world which so yearns to determine who we will be.  Instead, let's take that God-given knowledge and discovery to our feet and work at it.  Why?--because "who we are" will be put to the test by things/people that push our buttons, situations that question the very core of who we thought we were, and the ever-pres...

     In our society, we as women, juggle so many balls.  Many of us are daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, friends, advisers, mentors, leaders, comedians, social workers, advocates, pet owners, professionals, business owners, home chefs, caretakers, and much more--ALL AT THE SAME TIME.  We engage with our families and communities on multiple fronts.        This week, as I was grappling with how I would establish myself in the different facets of my life I "happened" upon a portion of the Word that spoke so loud and clear to my heart.  It brought tears to my eyes, because I knew that the L-RD had heard the silent cry of my spirit. I knew that He had specifically given me a word by which to define my entire new year.  Here's a snippet of what He said, "Establish yourself through righteousness..." (Isaiah 54:14)  Seems simple; yet so impactful.       I believe that many times we, as women, are tempted to est...