Her small face was tense,

her shoulders slumped.

No matter how many times I bent to talk with her

this little first grader refused to meet my eyes.

It bothered me to see her so anxious

while her classmates were enjoying their experience of first grade.

One day I happened to call her up to my desk

giving her a word of encouragement.

I noticed just a hint of a smile,

the tiniest uplift of the sides of her mouth.

I smiled with excitement making sure to not over react.

“You are doing so well this year,” I continued softly.

Her eyes searched mine as if trying to see if what I said might possibly be true.

“Are you scared?”

There. I said it. Just between her and I.

Instantly she dropped her eyes

and hung her head

obvious signs that I had spoken the truth.

“Oh you are doing so well,” I encouraged placing my hand on hers.

Then I heard her speak in tones so quiet that I had to bend forward to hear them.

“I might not pass.”

Pass?

Is that what this is about? I thought.

Tied up with anxiety and burdened with fear of failing

she was unable to live,

to learn

to become.

Yes, the next few minutes I spent reassuring her

that she would have no difficulty passing

first grade.

And

before my eyes I saw her change.

Fear disappeared as confidence grew.

Panic was replaced with peace.

She began to participate with her classmates

and soon I heard her laughter as she played.

I often wonder how many people struggle in  life

wondering

‘how do I know my purpose?’

‘what if I miss it?”

Or

What if I come to the end and discover that it was all meaningless?

Doubts and questions that sap the life out of today.

Fears and anxieties that burden and block our understanding.

Maybe purpose is more about discovering Whom

and not what.

Easier when looking backwards than forwards.

Even easier as we learn to trace the faint patterns

of His Love in our lives.

Does it help to know one’s purpose?

To discover that life is not about me

but about the One Who created me?

Absolutely,

for then we become totally present in the moment

and the sound of laughter and song fills the air.

Join me, won’t you, in discovering who you were created to be.

and a life that is filled with purpose, peace and passion.