As we all know, life seems to be moving forward at a break-neck speed, right? Our lives are so busy with our families, our jobs, our heroic attempts at taking care of ourselves, volunteering, shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc.! Whew!! Often times we live with our heads down, focusing on what is necessary “right now”!

Caring for our families, our communities, and ourselves is a very valuable and necessary use of our time; yet do you ever feel a longing to be a part of something bigger than yourself?  Something with lasting impact that reaches beyond your present responsibilities? Something with a deep sense of rich legacy?

There are impacting people in my own community who live their lives with a greater purpose in mind daily. These women are an example of what I’m discussing in this post.

Nita Belles raised her family well, has been faithful to her church, friends, and community. Yet, when she saw the plight of those caught in the horrific effects of human trafficking; she knew she had to step into the ring and make a difference. I’m certain she was already busy in her day-to-day life but she took her passion, made room in her life and became a champion against Human Trafficking. She’s having enormous impact. This is Nita’s Bigger Purpose!          http://www.inourbackyard.org

Heather Nashelle, raising her 6 children while designing jewelry and working hard to build a business and a brand, began to recognize that she could use her passions and concerns to make a huge impact on hunger in her community. Heather decided that for every piece of jewelry purchased a meal is provided for a child. The amount of meals she has provided is astounding! Also from her platform Heather began to teach students to resist bullying, showed them how to make jewelry (one for them and a gift for another), as well as speaking to these young ones about their value and possibilities. Heather continues to be invited into public schools throughout her community and she is presently partnering with more agencies that are also concerned about hunger in our community. Heather’s  impact is enormous.  This is Heather’s Bigger Purpose!   http://www.nashelle.com

You probably have hero’s of your own that inspire you with their passionate thinking and their willingness to step into the ring to make a difference. What drives them? What drives you?

As a young mama the thought of an “extra” involvement might have been more than I could have navigated and yet, in hindsight, I now realize that it didn’t have to be an all or nothing situation! I now know that in the different seasons of life my involvements may look different but I can always have impact! Here are some of the create ways to make a difference:

1. Pray.
2. Donate food, clothing, finances.
3. Volunteer (even in small amounts) to support your area of passion.
4. Babysit so that someone else can volunteer.
5. Use Social Media to make others aware of the area of passion/non-profit that has gripped your heart in this season of life.

As you can see, there are diverse ways to make a difference in that Bigger Purpose in your life!

So, what moves your heart? What makes you cry? What causes you concern? What drives you to prayer? What is your “Bigger Purpose”?  What can you bravely step creatively into so that you can help bring awareness, change, and hope?

Recently, I stepped onto the Board of Habitat for Humanity in Bend, Oregon. It was a year ago that I was invited to become involved in small ways with the non-profit; I took time to learn, engage with those who presently served, and got to see the impact they had on the lives of families who, outside of the assistance of Habitat for Humanity, would never stand the chance of having a house of their own! I cannot build a house, I cannot be on the finance committee, but I can do something…and so I am! This has become my “Bigger Purpose” in this season of my life!   http://www.bendhabitat.org

 

What’s your Bigger Purpose?