Divine Purpose?

So the other night I talked to my best friend on the phone. And when we talk, we really talk. For like two hours talk. We aren't the everyday texting type friends, hell, not even every other day. There are some people who believe that friendship is based on texting everyday, but that's just not us.  We had those conversations on the phone where she would bring something up, and I'd say, "That's funny you say that because I just thought about that." We really think we share the same brain. 

So the other night we talked and she said she wondered things like, what is my purpose, why am I here? (Then she said, "Oh ok you don't? Is it just me then?" See, she is hilarious!!) I used to wonder what my purpose was and why I was here. Sometimes I think we all feel a little useless in the day-to-day grind when we're working or parenting, or sitting around the house in our pajamas. I couldn't help but think, you're 40!! You should have this s*it figured out by now! Through a very long journey down the dark rabbit hole of mental illness and back up to the sweet light of day, I have figured out that I am here to serve others. I know this. Whether it's my children, my husband, my friends, or my work, it's what I do and what I'm passionate about. Even if I don't know you on a personal level, if we're in Walmart and you're struggling for that last bag of dog food on the top shelf, well, I'm kind of short but I will climb that shelf for you. 

So my friend, I needed to tell you that if you don't know why you're here, I might have a clue. You make people laugh. You have this way of being sarcastic and funny, but you aren't mean. There is never a conversation where my abs aren't sore because I laughed so hard. You are loyal. You never stopped being my best friend even when I had to take that two year detour to Oklahoma. You value life. I know I have had to be careful if I had a story about an animal that met its untimely demise because a sad animal story could bring you to tears. But you love, and you want to take care of everything, and I'm quite sure if you could have a wild pack of turkeys in your yard, you'd do it if it meant protecting them from a leopard who wanted Thanksgiving dinner early this year. 

You tell the truth. There were times in my life when I made some not so good choices. But you have this way that helps others understand that it might not be a good choice, but even if your friends insist on following through with the lapse in judgment, you still love them anyway.  

I can text you something dumb at 8:30 at night and you won't bat an eye:

"So guess what? There's a bird trapped in my house!!"

And then you'll come over after that text to help get the bird...only to realize, "Holy s*it!! It's not a bird it's not a bird it's not a bird!!! It's a freaking BAT!!!" But you still love the bat so much you set it free instead of whacking it with a broom. 

You've also gotten out of your pajamas for me on a Saturday night to hang out with me and the kids because I was lonely. You care about how others feel. But you also don't give a flying f*ck how some people feel. I envied that for a long time because there were just times I didn't want to care. 

I don't know if our purpose is some kind of big mystery that we have to figure out. I used to feel the need to know everything, but on my journey I've realized that you don't get to know everything all at once. Life hands you little gift boxes of wisdom when the time is right, and you get another piece of the puzzle. 

So my friend, while your puzzle is not yet complete, you are on a journey. The answers may not come today, tomorrow, or even in a year. But for this moment, know that you do have purpose, you are important, and you are loved.