For this reason, I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Ephesians 1: 15-18 (The New American Standard Bible)

 

Don’t Throw Away, Repurpose

At the entrance of my front door is a long runner that is old and slightly curved. I love this about the carpet because it is a picture of life—our life’s path is never straight no matter our age.

My interest in used furniture started while I was attending college in Jackson, Mississippi. There in a used furniture store I found a nice wicker settee and though we didn’t have a place for it, some friends did.

            Now instead of used furniture, used cars, or used furniture stores, that sound as if the product is inferior, the terms most often used are resale, repurpose, as in useful, good buy, great bargain.  Don’t throw out, repurpose, give it new life.

            Yesterday, a customer at our resale shop exclaimed with joy over the dainty cups and saucers she’d found to make a tea set for her granddaughter. I suspected this child would appreciate the gift for years to come. The customer also talked about how a small silver tray would be used after it was cleaned up.

            Her commenting about cleaning up the tray before using it reminded me of a dog named Fleet. The story goes that he was found in a home where the owner had died. With Fleet’s long, matted hair, he was overlooked when people were shopping for a new pet at the county shelter. After being rescued and cleaned up, his picture was put on the computer. Within days the rescue league had to take it down because so many people wanted to adopt him. Who knew that under all of the dirt and long hair was a beautiful cocker spaniel? With a new name and a new look, Bailey now lives with me, and we have added quality to each other’s life.

            Thought: As with Bailey, sometimes things happen and the life we once knew no longer exists, but remember, it’s not over until God says it’s over. So, what now? How do we find that new path?

            Starting over, or starting anew might include training of some type, but realistically, going back to school, the business we’d dreamed of starting, becoming a published author, fill in the blank________________, may not be an option for many reasons. When this is true, it doesn’t mean it’s too late or you’re too old. God is never chained to our finite options, and He has ways of making our paths straight.

            So, how do we bring those interests, hopes, and dreams that reside in our hearts to life? Finding the answer to this question may not be immediate or may not be so obvious.

            Two people I know have been able to carve out a place for themselves in their love for decorating.

Given her family situation, she realized completing the degree in Interior Design was not a good idea. Wanting to be involved in this area of life, but recognizing she couldn’t hold herself out as a decorator, this woman sent letters to friends letting them know of her availability to assist them with their decorating needs.

Though this was not her original field, another friend is also often called on for her decorating help. These women have been instrumental in helping many of us make our homes look better and, in the process, they have taught more about the art of decorating.

 These are two examples of women who were able to find ways to put their interests and talents to use.

            What do you do when the answer to finding your niche is not obvious? This is a question I asked myself often. The call to write has been with me since my youth, but finding my voice has taken a while and is continuing to unravel itself. After deciding to retire, I planned to finish the book that had been in the works for several years and explained to another teacher how my daily writing schedule would look. The plan sounded good, but it took me less than twenty-four hours to realize that my need to be with people was stronger than the ability to live alone and accomplish the solitary task of writing. So how do we find that seemingly elusive or impossible path?

            With no place to go each day after retiring, life got lonely, and sitting around wasn’t my thing. Though I volunteered in women’s shelter and an assistance program, the satisfaction wasn’t there.  Finally, someone suggested that I complete a chaplaincy internship at one of the hospitals in the medical center. Though it became obvious early on that I still hadn’t found my forte, on the last day I had a life-changing message. We’d just finished our last group session and were walking out the door when one of the chaplains, a young woman, turned to me, almost as an afterthought and said, “You know more than you think. Stop searching.” I knew she wasn’t suggesting to me to stop learning and growing, but to reach inside of myself and use the wisdom and knowledge that had come from experience. Those words stayed with me and became a guiding force. For me, all paths led back to writing. This is the one endeavor where time flies, the words and thoughts that fill my head and heart can come to life, and I am at peace. The finding out of how to incorporate writing into my life has not been easy but definitely is worth all the doubts and frustrations.

             In a short skit, a woman complained about not having gifts or talents, but as she talked, she also constantly demonstrated her ability to organize an office. We all have those interests, talents, and abilities that were given to us as gifts from our Father. Let me encourage you to not neglect them, but to seek the path until you find that role that fills your soul.

Steps Toward Finding Out How to Repurpose Your Life:

1.    Start with God. He created you and knows your needs; therefore, it is necessary to spend time in prayer and seeking His way.

2.    Listen to positive suggestions others might have. My stint with the women’s center came because of a conversation with a friend. A counselor led me to the hospital work.

3.    Even though a particular activity might not get you where you want, it doesn’t mean it was a waste of time. I think back on some of the conversations I had at the women’s center, the center for assistance, and the hospital, and realize that I was able to reach out and help others in need.  Being available to minister may be an important process in our own journey.

4.    As we open ourselves to God and His ways, I believe we will be ready when answers come. For me it was on a dark and dreary Saturday, the second week of the quarantine. It was then that I realized the leading of writing the blog posts.

5.    Remember this: No matter what anyone has said to you or mistakes you’ve made, you are a child of God, created by Him and He makes no mistakes. Your life is important and there are tasks to be accomplish that need the talents and particular traits that only you possess.

6.    My experience has shown me that once we find our path, there are still twists and turns. For me they come in the way of writer’s blocks, concerns about saying something the wrong way, and other doubts. Yet, my God leads me through.

7.    Last, the path you choose may not have everyone’s approval, but living to please others leads to anger and frustration but living to please God is a recipe for new life.

In conclusion of finding the path, I am reminded of once hearing a man sing a song he’d written called Just Go Sweep. The singer explained how his father always said, “When you don’t know what to do, just go sweep. I interpreted that as, when you don’t know what to do, do what you know to do.

Now, just go sweep!

Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past.

Behold, I will do something new. Now it will sprint forth;

Will you not be aware of it?

I will even make a roadway in the wilderness. Rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43: 18-19 (New American Standard Bible)