Last Sunday my husband preached a sermon entitled, “Finding Your Purpose.” He spoke about how as a child he wondered what his purpose was here on earth. I believe most people have asked that question at one time or another, as we all want to feel that our lives have meaning and that we are serving a purpose. The Bible teaches that man’s purpose is to worship God and serve Him. That includes witnessing to others and helping out whenever there is a need.

Everyone has something they are good at, and when we use our talents to serve God, we can be a blessing to others. I love the opportunity to minister to my readers through my books, and I always feel blessed when someone writes or emails me saying that something they read in one of my books has touched their life in a special way or helped them through a difficult time.

Please share your story of how God has used your talent to help someone, or if you have been helped or blessed by reading one of my books, please share that, too. Hearing that my readers are being blessed by my books reminds me to keep using my abilities for Him. I thank God for the purpose He has given me to bless others through the words He lays on my heart.

Last month two of our dear Amish friends traveled by train and came to visit us in our home in Washington. We had a great time showing them around our state and introducing them to some of our friends and family members.

For the last week, my husband and I have been fellowshipping with some of our Amish friends in Northeastern Indiana, where I was invited to do several book signings and speaking engagements. We’ve had a wonderful time sharing meals in their homes and getting caught up on one another’s lives.

Despite the fact that we dress differently and live a different lifestyle than our Amish friends, we have many things in common and enjoy spending time together. When we are not with each other in person, we stay in touch through letters and phone calls. The strongest thing that binds us together with our Amish friends is our love for God and His people. What a blessing it is to fellowship with other believers.

When was the last time you did something special with your friends, and what did you do?

A few years ago, my husband and I entered an Amish schoolhouse in Indiana, where I’d gone to speak about my books. Knowing that the children were outside playing during recess, I went to one of the windows inside the entryway and looked out. I was engrossed in watching some of the children play baseball, until a young Amish boy stepped up to me. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m watching the ballgame,” I replied.
“You shouldn’t be looking out that window.”
“Why not?”
His brows puckered. “Because this is the boys’ side of the room.”
At first, I was a bit put off by the young boy’s bold statement. What difference did it make which window, on which side of the room, I’d chosen to look out? After a few minutes of reflection, however, I realized that this was the Amish way, and that, as a visitor, I should be respectful and understanding, rather than sensitive to my own needs. I moved over to the girls’ side of the entryway, even though there was no ballgame going on outside that window.
This incident made me think about the need to do some self-reflection concerning my spiritual life. It’s important to spend time in self-reflection every day and ask God if I’m in the place He wants me to be, rather than trying to do things my own way. One of the questions I’ve asked myself this week during my time of meditation is, “Do my actions match the words I speak?” What question during self-reflection do you have for God today?