No, I'm not going to write about our cats this time, although they are as darling as the little kitties in this photo. I want to write about my experience speaking to a bunch of Women On Mission at a church banquet. Cozy. Warm. Familiar. Like the kitties in this photo.
Since Mel works ER in the town where he graduated high school (valedictorian, the show-off) he just happened to treat the mother of one of his former high school teachers, who found out he was part of the Hannah Alexander writing team. She found some of our books and read them, then invited us to speak at their Women On Mission banquet tonight, held at the church Mel attended as a child.
Long story short--Mel ended up having his mother as a patient on his shift last night, and lost a lot of sleep, didn't make it to the banquet. They were stuck with me. But I had a great time hearing stories about Mel and his twin brother, their escapades and terrorization of Sunday school teachers, their prayers for June bugs (?) and Mel's ability to speed read shorthand. Lots of ladies approached me to tell me stories about Mel. So many remembered him. He made an impact.
In my speech, I asked the ladies to be thinking about their own mission in life, because God gives each of us a mission, be it encouragement, serving, writing, mentoring, music, teaching...the list is as varied as we are. And of course I told them about my own mission, and gave them each a free book at the end. Warm fuzzies again. My autograph hand is tired, and I'm glad. I hope I made them think more clearly about their calling from God.
I know I harp on this, but we do each have a mission. Today, when I was telling Mel what I was going to speak about, he asked, "What's your mission?" I told him that, of course, it was writing. And he just looked at me. I haven't been writing much lately, but this afternoon, while he slept, I wrote six pages, and tonight, when I spoke to the ladies about practicing the mission God gave them in their lives, I could honestly say I've been doing it today.
Are you practicing your mission? I plan to be more faithful to do what God has called me to do. I don't think that calling has changed, even though my circumstances have. I want to delve back into the main reason for being on this earth--to serve God with my writing.
7 Comments:
Thanks for reminding us of this! Always good to remember the important things! My mission is to see my students grow and mature. I want them to be people of deep moral character. Honest. Followers of God. People of conviction. People with a life-calling of helping others. Sure, I teach them about writing and literature--and help them get into college--but I'm a lot more concerned about what kind of people they are becoming. :) I love that I get to work with kids.
I guess I would say my mission is to encourage others--especially women. My life's motto is "Joy in the Journey." I really believe we can have joy no matter what life hurls at us, because Jesus is our joy!
We had a lot of teachers at the banquet last night. What a great opportunity to influence so many lives with the hours you spend with those children.
And Diann, you're definitely an encourager. You light up a room when you walk in. I'm so glad we're friends!
Yep! I'd agree: Diann is definitely the encourager! :)
Glad you had a great time last night. Think of all the ammo you collected that you can use to tease your husband! :)
Oh, it was definitely fun to tease Mel about praying for the June bugs. LOL And about reading shorthand in his business class at 269 words per minute. He just had to beat everyone else.
a basket full of puppies would be cuter!
just razzing ya :)
I love puppies! If I'd had them on my picture file, I'd have used them.
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