What is My Purpose? Do Small Things with Great Love

DO ORDINARY THINGS WITH EXTRAORDINARY LOVE

 Do ordinary things with extraordinary love. (Mother Teresa)

A few months ago, I sank into the traumatic storm of a cerebral spinal fluid leak relapse, which triggered a major mental health crisis. I felt utterly worthless. Stuck in bed, I felt my life had little worth, value, or purpose. I felt like a burden to the world.

In that crushing darkness, I couldn’t see how I could bless or help others. I felt like a negative influence, a drain on others, and I even considered deleting my blog and public writing. What’s the point of telling my sad story when the world is already full of sad stories? Ultimately, I compromised, privatizing my blog for a few weeks until my perspective grew healthier and more balanced again.

YOU ARE MORE THAN WHAT YOU DO

As the sun began to break through, I realized I’d fallen for the lie that “What you DO is more important than who you ARE,” the lie that if I can’t do anything, my life is then worthless. I am an insignificant nobody without the capacity to make a difference.

Why do we fall for the ageless deception that we ARE what we DO?

When such lies cripple me, shame consumes me, and I lose track of my identity. I am unsure where to anchor myself so that I can move forward – but as my perspective improves, I remember that I am not what I DO! I am me, whether I am doing something or lying in bed.

WHO CAN I LOVE TODAY?

One day, while praying a Psalm-type lament, I cried out to God, feeling I had no purpose anymore; my physical condition so restricted me that I questioned the point of being alive. At that moment, God spoke, “Precious child, your purpose is to ask yourself, ‘Who can I LOVE today?’”

So simple, yet so profound. Even though I was stuck in bed, I could choose to love others from that place.

God’s words resonated, reminding me of the truth I already knew—LOVE is only love when given sacrificially.

DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE

Artwork of Mother Teresa’s words, “Do small things with great love!” hangs in our hallway. Acts of love don’t have to be big. We can love just as much through ordinary acts. What matters is the amount of love we offer.

“Who can I love today?” has become the daily question of my heart, helping me walk through what can seem like an impossible time to endure. When reality hits me like a ton of bricks, I try to accept where I am, grieve my limitations, and ask God to show me to whom I can show small acts of love and kindness that day. Slowly but surely, a sense of purpose (even amidst pain) is restored to me.

The more I love, the more I feel God’s love, and the more love I have to give.

CHOOSE TO LOVE DAILY

Despite chronic pain, disabilities, and limitations, despite whatever restrictions you face, there is purpose for your life – things only you can do, words only you can say, tasks only you see need doing.

Being alive means there is someone to love, serve, encourage, or bless today.

Choose to love daily. It is the highest purpose of your life.

I was broken so I may understand the broken, so I may reach out to the hurting and comfort the wounded. I have the capacity to bring hope and love and healing – a once-fractured mirror finding new purpose because I am no longer reflecting myself, I’m reflecting Him. This is my reason for living. This is why I was created. (Sam Re)

Published at beckyhillblog.com on 10/12/19. Published with permission.