A life full of POWER begins with a purpose. Finding and fulfilling God’s designed purpose will bring you more joy and satisfaction than anything else you can do. That is how 3 women, Penelope, Patricia and Pam, came to discover this principle.
Penelope was practically perfect in every way. Remember that phrase from Mary Poppins? Well, just like Mary Poppins, Penelope was pretty much perfect. She was a competent professional, a fabulous friend, and a wonderful wife. Her hair, her house, her clothes, her car, everything was spotless. Even her dog was well cared for and well behaved! But Penelope had a secret passion, a burning desire that constantly bubbled to the surface. Penny wanted to paint! Great big canvases with drops of bright color! She had painted throughout school… But painting!? Where the hell would I find the time? And the painting was so messy! She puts you on your clothes and under your nails… And where would she do it??? Painting is part of my past, she told herself. I could never be a painter at this point in my life. But the box of art supplies kept in the dusty attic came to mind…and she wondered…
Patricia was a patient mother and partner. She was sandwiched between generations, caring for her teenage children and her elderly parents. She loved her family, took care of her house, and loved her husband. Her family of hers was a full time job! But Patricia longed for something more. As she walked the dog every morning, she watched the children playing in the park. In the summer months there were dozens of children from the neighborhood. Watching the children play reminded Patricia of her childhood. She grew up in a trailer park, and every summer a lady would come over once a week and host a Bible Club. The stories, games, snacks, and crafts had a tremendous impact on her life. Patricia wondered if these kids had anything like that here in this neighborhood. Patricia wished she could do something, but John needed help with her homework, her parents needed her medicine, and she was challenged to put dinner on the table every night. She sighed and went back home to make breakfast.
Penelope and Patricia took their friend Pam to Panera one night. After collecting her coffee and finding a table, Pam made an announcement. “I have something to tell you, something important. I’ve made up my mind… I’m going to run for office!”
“What?!?!” his friends asked in chorus.
“Political Office! I’m running in the next election!” Pam was so excited.
“What about Paul? What does he think?”
“He is behind me 100%”
“What about work? How will your business survive?”
“I discussed it with my partners and they were very supportive. I’m taking a leave of absence.”
“But… what? How? Why?…” Her friends fired questions until Pam finally held up her hands.
“Wait a minute! This is something I have to do! It sounds crazy, but you’ll never believe how everything has fallen into place.”
The women listened and looked at their friend with growing admiration. Her eyes sparkled and her face glowed. She had joy-fire-passion!!
Later that night, Penelope thought of Pam with more than a little envy. When was the last time she had felt so passionate about something? Not since college… The art show! She had spent weeks painting day and night, forgetting even to sleep or eat. And when her work was exhibited, she felt such satisfaction. It had even received good reviews. The box of art supplies reappeared in her mind and she decided to take a look in the attic…
Patricia also thought about Pam’s change while walking her dog the next morning. Interesting! What a great opportunity to really make a difference! Patricia looked up and saw a group of girls scratching a hopscotch on the pavement with a stone. What if she opened a kids’ club… right here in the park? She looked around her and began to see it in her mind. We could do crafts and eat snacks on those picnic tables. And the grassy area would be great for games. We could sit in a circle and I could tell you those wonderful stories that have meant so much to me all these years… Ideas came out one after another.
On the way home, he noticed that the Simpsons were having a garage sale.
“Hello Mrs. Simpson! How are you?”
“Patricia…come and have a glass of tea. We’re cleaning out our spare room and the attic, just lightening our load a bit. I have no idea who will want all this stuff! Take this box, for example. … Thirty years worth of craft supplies and flannel board materials… I stored all of these things away from my days teaching Sunday school…”
“Craft supplies? Did you teach Sunday school?”
“Oh yeah! I loved teaching…I really miss working with the kids sometimes.”
Patricia took the glass of iced tea that Mrs. Simpson resisted, pulled up a lawn chair, and began to share her dream of a kids’ club in the neighborhood park.
At Penelope’s house, her husband arrived to find his wife in the attic. “Honey, what are you doing up here? Wow! Look at that! I almost forgot about your drawings…”
Penelope had scattered drawings and sketches around the room and was going through her brushes and paint. “You like them?” she asked shyly.
“They’re great!” He watched his wife for a moment and noticed a look on her face that he hadn’t seen in years. He looked around the attic and went over to the windows.
“You know, I have some time on Saturday morning. We could clear this room, it would make a great study…”
Patricia and Mrs. Simpson planned their Kid’s Club and found others willing to share their time and talents. Penelope started painting again on the weekends and even sometimes after work. And Pam, who inspired her friends with her passion, ran an excellent campaign. Each woman discovered her passion and took steps toward her purpose. Instead of crushing her dream, she gave it room to grow. Once she took a step forward, the next step became apparent. Resources were available.
This is how the life full of POWER works. It begins with finding and fulfilling your Purpose. Consider three things about purpose:
Life has meaning, satisfaction and joy when you find and fulfill your purpose.
When Pam heard the call and acted on her purpose, she found a new
joy and enthusiasm for life.
All your strengths and talents, weaknesses and faults, add up to who you are.
what you are designed to be. When you find your purpose it fits like a glove.
Penelope tried so hard to be perfect, but she discovered passion and purpose
when you allow yourself to enjoy the messy creative process that painting involves.
Who you are becoming is more important than what you are doing.
Women tend to define themselves by their roles. Patricia defines herself as
mother, daughter and wife… but she became a leader, a mentor, a person
of influence
There is a bit of Pamela, Penelope and Patricia in all of us. What is your purpose?
I challenge you to find and fulfill your life purpose.