More of What Matters – I Was Made for This

Do you ever feel like a pin at the end of a bowling alley named Potshot Lanes? When it seems there’s signage flashing over your head that could rival that of Vegas? ‘Take your best shot!’ My friend, that is the time to remind yourself of more of what matters – I was made for this.

In one recent week were three different instances of what can only be described as potshots taken at the callings in which my husband and I invest our lives: counseling and life coaching. Though it’s our livelihood, our work is more than an occupation; we both say I was made for this.

The first was a video clip that specifically named our two helping professions, offering a “get the same thing accomplished in my one-day empowering and equipping seminar!” minus hours spent in either of our services. Truth in advertising, not.

I saw that one after I saw the social media meme telling me not to take anything personally. Really? I’m a real person with feelings, not an AI in the making. Furthermore, my husband and I work with people with real feelings. We can tell you they take things very personally. That’s part of why they’re seeking help. And our help would be of little value if not for our own journey.

True, a one-day seminar can make a difference; we testify to that in our own lives when things shared or taught land deeply and seeds of change are planted. But criminy, unless you have a Jack & The Beanstalk mentality, that seed is not magical enough to just spring up overnight twelve feet high! Ask any farmer.

It’s not much different in our field of day after day work with a wide assortment of real people. In their lives, and our own, we’ve learned it’s more often a slow grow to effective, sustainable, lasting change toward wholeness and health in one’s spirit, soul, and body. Of course we’d like ‘faster’! Who wouldn’t?

Those who preach an ‘instantly empowered and equipped’ message tread on impressionable ground. We steer clear…unless some impressionable ones seek us out because life is not going well. Our reality? That ‘instantly’ message is one of the hardest to dismantle. The term ‘process’ is not easily received.

That’s when it serves us well to remind ourselves of more of what matters – I was made for this.

If you too can say I was made for this – with that settled inward knowing born of faith and courage that your more of what matters is part of your design – then potshots, aimed or landed, won’t deter you.

but wait, there’s more

We ended up in the bowling alley again the day a little robin showed up and second-hand chirped a demeaning comment told to them about my husband as a counselor in his God-appointed niche. (One we never would have chosen for ourselves, by the way. I say ‘we’ because we’re in this together). When God chooses you for something and you say yes, in time you find it becomes your more of what matters – I was made for this. Regardless what others say or think, my husband knows he was made for his this.

It was a case of game over when the final strike was bowled a third time in as many days. You guessed it. Counselors and life coaches were once again standing in formation with the ball directed at them. The written personal opinion wasn’t wrong in its referral to the real Source. In fact, this counselor and life coach heartily agree. We wouldn’t keep showing up if we did not draw our life from the Source.

then again, here’s where the life coach in me comes out…

Both my husband and I have been trained to watch for patterns. In our work, one doesn’t make a solid case for anything. Two occurrences may niggle a bit. When we see three in relatively short order along the same theme – we sit up and take notice.

So, we bowled-over pins set ourselves upright again and said “hmmm…”

Followed by the life coach in me rising up with another sparkler held high. Only this time, like a kid sparkler-spelling against the night sky –

Stop It

Though it’s become common practice, I don’t know many who long tolerate others taking potshots at them in order to make themselves look better. Or to even make God look better, for that matter.

Operating from a religious spirit doesn’t hear, heal or call to life hearts designed by God. Neither does promising shortcuts to outcomes we do not and cannot control.

Learning to live from one’s design is the pain-filled perseverance and resultant privilege of the heart that has awakened to more of what matters – I was made for this!

The providence of God appoints men’s* habitations,
and wisely disposes them to different employments for the public good.
Whatever our place and business are, it is our wisdom and duty to apply thereto;
and it is happiness to be well pleased therewith.
We should not only invite others to the service of God, but abound in it.
– Matthew Henry Concise Commentary, Deuteronomy 33 –

I know each reader has their own opinion and their own perspective. All I can say is, this is delivered with understanding grace to those who are living your more of what matters – I was made for this.

And offered with mercy to those who decide to pick up their bowling ball and go home. I bless you with seeking and finding your more of what matters so you too can say from deep within, I was made for this.

~ Gracefully Free

*humanity’s

You can read more in the More of What Matters Series

Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash