"At the end of the day, what do I want people to say about my life, about what my life amounted to? What was I pointing them to? Are the actions and things I am putting out into the world pointing back to Jesus and God?" - Michelle Hagen
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When I was a newer mom I remember people often telling me things like "Just you wait, these days will fly by!" or "Before you know it, your kids will be all grown up!" Well let me tell you what, that was not what I wanted to hear in the middle of those messy, crazy, busy, often frustrating days of early motherhood...BUT they were right.
While my boys are still pretty young, I swear my 6-year old is quickly turning into a 16-year old faster than I am OK with! Motherhood is such a time of learning and growth. Looking back, I am so grateful for those days when my kids were little and I was able to be home with them, even if most days felt like a complete circus! I wish that in those moments I had leaned in and appreciated them a little more. Isn't that so true about every stage of life though? We so often forget to slow down, take a break, and breathe in the present moments and current season of life.
Lately I have been taking a major pause in my life, a much needed breather and time of reflection and refocusing. Sometimes when we think of living our calling in life, we think it has to be this big, ginormous thing, but in reality it can just be whatever little things God is putting on your heart or whatever little things you are feeling called to do.
Maybe you feel like you need to help in your child's classroom at school more frequently? Or perhaps you need to take more dedicated time to focus on yourself? When was the last time you sat down and read a book just to read a book for the pleasure of it?
We can get carried away thinking that we need to do these big, grand gestures or else time will slip away and we'll look back wishing we had done more. But friends, let me tell you something, some of the most meaningful things in life are not "grand" at all, but rather small, simple, loving acts that make a world of difference in the end.
Earlier this year I lost a dear friend to cancer. She was an inspiration in my life and I have not been the same since her passing. I have spent the past many months reflecting, pondering, and searching for the dreams I want to chase and the things I feel called to do. At the end of the day, what do I want people to say about my life? What do I want people to see that my life amounted to? And perhaps most important, what was I pointing them to, or rather, who was I pointing them to? This question has been on my mind and heart a lot lately: Are the actions and things I am putting out into the world pointing back to Jesus and God?
We need to pause and realize that we are living for something bigger; we are creating for something bigger.
Sometimes God puts us down a path or we follow callings because we needed to learn the skills or the tools to do those things for our next calling. So many times I have thought, "Oh, so this is what God wants me to do," only to be lead a short time later on to something else! While it can be confusing and frustrating at times, He is in charge and He is guiding our lives, if we will let Him.
I have this cute little decorative pillow with this quote on it: "Sometimes on your way to a dream you get lost and find a better one." Have you ever felt like you were walking into unfamiliar, or uncomfortable territory trying to live your calling? The lyrics from Frozen II come to my mind regularly of walking "into the unknown" and boy, is it true! It may not make any sense right now, but if we let go of the things we have known and turn "into the unknown" with God's will in mind, He will show us the path.
God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace so follow the feelings of peace and move forward with "crazy faith" like Pastor Mike Todd talks about on Annie F Down's podcast episode I recently listened to.
Remember friends, you are not a failure for making a change. Change is how we show our faith and show God we are willing to follow Him. Move forward with faith, recognizing that the next right step for you is the step of peace.
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Connect With Michelle Hagen:
Living Your Calling Podcast :
- You can do this mama, in the middle of motherhood no matter how busy the years get! -
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