Thought for The Day - Your Part

...what is it? Your part? What part do you play in the world's growth, expansion, the love quotient that makes the globe a better place? Now before you minimize your part - the self-accusing type - or overemphasize your role - the "superstars" - realize we operate on so many levels.

I remember asking myself many times, growing up and as an adult, what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember three distinct careers that came to mind: scientist, artist and businessman. Scientist, because I love experimenting with things, trying to make 'stuff' and the idea that there are undiscovered concepts, compounds and cures. Artist, because I love to create - seemingly, something out of nothing. And I wanted a business because I like the idea of earning money! But there were so many roles and parts that I thought about, and yet I've done them all!

• I wanted to be a husband and father - doing that
• I knew there was a calling for ministry on my life - done that
• I wanted to help people work through their problems - doing that
• I wanted to help people return to a higher calling for their lives - doing that

Some are born to be parents. Maybe not stellar, soccer mom and dads, but parents that teach lasting values to their children and their children in turn, teach those values to their children. Some are born to be politicians; they navigate the "peopled waters" where opinions and agendas determine policies for the nation. Some are born to help and fall into roles as doctors, dentists, nurses, etc. And there are so many more parts to play in this life! 

Here's an interesting notion and one that allowed me to pick up my brushes again: when you feel restless and as if the life you're living is missing something, SEARCH! You see, there's a strong possibility that you have yet to reach your potential! Now when I say "potential" I'm not talking celebrity status or notoriety. I'm talking about tasks and parts you have not tried yet. And while you may die, never having done them (we get stuck on the idea of "destiny"), understand, there's far more to your life when you're doing these things.

Thought for The Day - The Message in Your Veins

Soul Dance

You think you understand, until another twist appears in the story line. You're knocked off your game, you try to gather your strength, regroup and determine your next move. But this story isn't played out on the big screen or pages in a book; it's your life and its unfolding every minute and with every heartbeat.

But sometimes, the moment is just as baffling as your origin and your purpose. I heard a guy say in a song ("The Lord Made Me for Song" - Chester Baldwin) "some people live their whole lives trying to figure out why they're here. I'm so glad I know God made me for song." If it wasn't so aggravating and I didn't go through major internal anguish, I would be okay with the "unfinished" details of my life! If I could sit comfortably with life as it is, please believe I would, but certain songs get played over and over. I listen to songs, words, stare at the sky, take walks and pray as if I were in a foxhole in World War 1!

Sure, the message is in my veins, but it isn't clear. The purpose for my existence seems as long and complex as the vascular system that snakes from head to toe. In the picture above, on the back of it, there are questions and "what ifs." The owner of that picture might one day look at the back of it and wonder. So do I.