“God, what do you want me to do?”
“God, show me my purpose!”
I cannot tell you how many times I shouted this to the heavens with my hands held high and tears streaming down my face as I entered a new life season.
My last baby had just left the nest, I had never finished college, and all my friends were stepping into their next season of womanhood with confidence and grace.
What was next for me?
Had I ever made anything of myself?
How had I contributed to our household?
How did I go from raising three children and trying to make a Jesus-loving home to feeling worthless?
As I stood in my kitchen baring all shame and worthlessness to my husband, a man with a few words (mostly because I steal them all), he turned to me and said, “What would you have done differently?”
Nothing! My breathless answer was, “Nothing.”
I allowed the world to anchor my worth over my heavenly Father’s worth.
You see, God had already placed me in my purpose and worth long ago. ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ‘Ephesians 2:10
My God-given purpose was changing. It was a new season. God’s plans were good, pleasing, and perfect for me.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then, you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
God had given me three beautiful children to love, teach, and direct them into His arms, and I saw this as insufficient. It was not a proud moment but a moment of awakening my spirit to His. He opened my eyes and heart to understand the importance of the season he placed me in for such a time as this.
‘Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. ‘Ecclesiastes 3:11
Thank you, Jesus, for seeing my worth more than I did. I am thankful that even though I was blind to God’s purpose, He was not. He carried out His purpose and plan through me and my children.
Sure, my season as a stay-at-home mom was ending, but that never meant I was finished or worthless. He was preparing me for the next season—Nana season!! Being a Nana is like a second chance to carry on my purpose to the next generation: loving, teaching, caring, giving, holding, and pointing those sweet babies to Jesus.
God has a purpose and plan for every season of our life.
About the Author:
Mary Beth is passionate about seeing women experience Jesus in a life-changing way. She speaks authentically as a safe place for women to share their struggles. Whether one-on-one or from a podium in a room full of women, she loves to see women walking in the fullness of Jesus! Mary Beth is a certified speaker and long-time Bible teacher. She currently serves as a connection Pastor at her church. She is known for her infectious personality and caring for others. She has a deep devotion to her family. She is married to her forever crush, Mike, and they have three children. They enjoy the empty nest season, and together, they love to travel and try out new restaurants. She loves exploring new coffee shops, but most days, you will find her curled up next to her Aussie, Hartlee, coffee in one hand and her journal in the other, finishing a book about God’s unfailing love. But her new favorite role is being a Nana to her three grandsons. Come December, they will welcome their first granddaughter. She feels blessed to carry on a Jesus-filled generation.
Connect with Mary Beth:
IG: girl.be.still
https://www.facebook.com/mary.b.powers/
https://www.marybethpowers.com
