The Purpose of Life is to Have a Life of Purpose

Many of us don't know our purpose in life. We spend years, maybe our whole lives, searching for it. Some find it, others get to the grave and will have never found it. Could it be, maybe, you're living your purpose right now?

Rory and I were talking about the thought of our generations just being recycled. We are born into the world, leave whatever footprint we think is important for the next in line of our family, and we move on down the line until we die decades later, leaving our children and grandchildren to do the same thing. Some follow our footprints in a straight line, others might drift off creating their own path, but eventually get back on the same one, which leads to the end of their life span. It's like a conveyor belt. It goes multiple directions, but everything ends up in a box, shipped to their destination.

Watching the republican debate the other night had me thinking heavily about what's important to the people of this nation. I've written about this before here and I'd like to think I'm still living the life I want to live and fighting for the things I've always fought for. My wish is for people in my life to do the same thing. See what's important to you, hold on to it, and never let go.

We live in a scary world right now. I, personally, am living in a city ranked 7 in a list of 10 worst cities to live in. When it comes to crime, we are ranked 16th highest in the nation. And sure, eventually most cities are going to be unsafe and those numbers are going to rise quickly, but that won't take away what I believe to be my purpose in life. I'll still be the best mother I can be, and God willing some day, the best wife I can be.

When that conveyor belt ends, I'd like to think everything I learned will be taken out and left for my son and niece and nephews to pick up and carry on. Learn from my mistakes, as well as the good choices I made. Hold on to what's useful, and discard everything else.

If you haven't already watched the video I posted a couple years ago, I encourage you to. It would be interesting to see what these people wish today in such a volatile part of the world.

"I wish that the whole world could realize what they really are." - Says the guy at 1:16

The Lost Generation

Syria. What a fucking mess. Worst humanitarian disaster of our time. This photo {quazi} woke up the world when it went viral. It's probably going to be "too much to see" but Jesus, is this what has to be seen for us to realize what's going on? The body of 3 year old, Aylan, washed up on shore, face down in the sand. He drowned trying to flee his God forsaken country in a boat with his mother and brother who also died when the boat cap-sized.

What's eve worse, is children, elderly, and people in general are dying every day in desperate need of escaping the worst civil war in our time. 7.6 million people have fled Syria since March 2011 while we sit on our ass looking at new ways to decorate the living room. What a disgrace. Are we that self absorbed?

Between Syria's civil war, and the rise of Isis, the world is in the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Over 11 million people are displaced because of it and roughly 240,000 have died.

But we don't care, do we? We'd rather browse Facebook to see what our friends are doing this weekend, and catch up on the latest drama. The bars and the beaches are flooded this Labor Day weekend with people enjoying a day off. Let's not forget about the people who haven't had a day off in over four years out of fear they will be killed. This little boy was born into the same war that killed him. His 3rd birthday was surrounded by refugees instead of friends, whatever he could find to eat instead of cake, and gunshots for candles.

May God bless what's less of that mess.

Taken from A Holy Experience, these are some of the things you can do to help: 

–> Mennonite Central Committee
–> World Relief (donate to provide backpacks for resettled children here)
–> World Vision
–> Samaritan’s Purse
–> Doctors Without Borders: Has three rescue ships in the Mediterranean, on Tuesday alone they rescued 1,658 people
–> UNICEF
–> Hand in Hand for Syria: Working within Syrian borders to provide aid. Donations are made via British currency but these are easily converted from US donations during the transaction.

If you’d like to help Syrian refugees stranded on the Greek Island of Lesvos, see the list below, and mail to:
Hellenic Postal Office of Mythymna
℅ The Captain’s Table
Molyvos 81108, Lesvos, Greece

ITEMS TO SEND for SYRIAN REFUGEES on GREEK ISLAND OF LESVOS:

Sneakers, gym shoes for men, women and children (all sizes) are a HIGH PRIORITY
Sweatpants of all sizes.
Briefs/underwear for men, women and children (all sizes)
Men’s trousers (small, medium and large) and shoes
Baby powder milk
Any non-perishables like nut butters or other long-lasting foods.
Diapers
Feminine products
Sleeping bags
Plastic to cover the floor/for shade
Tents/tarpaulin
Mats (camping or yoga mats)
Hats and caps for sunshade (adults and children/light colours because of the sun)
Electric Plug for multiple devices (european voltage)

When it's all said and done - PRAY. Pray for these children who will be lost forever in a world who won't save them. For the girl forcing a smile, for the boy who put his hands up because he thought a camera was a gun, and for the little girl who doesn't think her baby doll should see it all. Who's covering her eyes? 

Let's uncover ours. 

Make sure your love runs deep enough to affect your hospitality, empathy, fidelity, and contentment. 
Hebrews 13:5 

Birthday Snuggles

Woke up to 31 yesterday, and smiles from this little guy. I grabbed my camera (aka, my iphone flip) and snapped this before we got up and moving for the day. 

Best birthday gift ever - morning snuggles from the love of my life.