Who do you see day to day? Your family, close friends, perhaps a neighbor . . . but is that all? If you live in an apartment, don’t you see the landlord from time to time? Or how about those of you who go to get your hair done – don’t you have a stylist? The lady who works at the coffee shop where you get your morning cup, your favorite waiter at that little deli, the people who come and mow your lawn . . . people that you see from day to day who in some way provide a service for you. Do you think of these people when compiling your Christmas list?

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
Ephesians 1:16

This Christmas, I challenge you to include these people in your gift-giving. A nice card, a plate of cookies, a $5 gift certificate to Starbucks . . . it doesn’t have to be much, or it can be quite elaborate! It’s your way of saying thank you for the hard work that they do. Yes, it may be your job, but don’t you like to be acknowledged for what you do? You never know how your small gesture can affect someone!

Please, share with me how you plan to grace those who make YOUR life easier with a little bit of seasonal love!

Be sure to check out what others are saying about this month’s theme, thanksgiving, on Faith Lifts!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

I once heard this verse referred to as the “graduation verse” – everyone shares this with new graduates who are starting a new phase in their lives. And in all honesty, I found this verse in my senior year of high school when I was trying to figure out what college to attend. However, I’ve found over the past five years that this verse is extremely applicable to me on a day-to-day basis, and that is why I wish to share it with you.

Our society no longer reveres peace. Peace of mind, peace of body, peace of spirit – we have no interest in these things. We’d much rather be drinking our $5 latte while listening to our iPods, talking on our smartphones, writing on our blogs, and checking our email. I don’t condemn this lifestyle – in fact, it sounds pretty darn similar to the life that I lead. I simply state that as a general group, people today multitask and feel unproductive if they try to tackle one task at a time.

Perhaps that’s why I find this verse so comforting. In a world where I am so busy, have so many plans, rush from meeting to meeting, and try to cram so much into each day, it is a relief to know that God’s got good plans for me. If I try to crowd him out with my lessons and activities, I may flounder, flail, and eventually fall. But if I look to Him, there are prosperous and harmless things ahead of me. God has given me permission to have hope and to look for a future. I can enjoy the prospect of tomorrow if I slow down enough to listen to Him.

What does this have to do with purpose? I know that it doesn’t matter what MY purpose for my life is – it’s GOD’S purpose that counts. And he’s got great things planned for me. What a relief to know that I don’t have to be perfect at finding, discerning, and following my purpose. God will reveal it to me as I am ready to take each new step. All I have to do is take the time to let go of my ideas and agendas and listen for His.

What are your thoughts on God’s purpose for our lives? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’ll address this issue again next week, so please share anything specific you may want me to discuss!

Be sure to check out what others are saying about this month’s theme, purpose, on Faith Lifts!