Living the Life, We Were Born to Live

Remember the line by Mother Abbess to Maria in the epic movie “The Sound of Music" – “Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.” Such words of wisdom: “We must live the life we were born to live.”

In the grand scheme of things, we probably are living the lives we were born to live if we’re staying determined, positive, fear-less, strong, trusting God and being the best version of ourselves that we can be. Maybe you are one of those who studied, trained and acquired their degrees and professional licenses to serve as doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel who are living those lives and are giving your gifts back to God and to us. Maybe you’re living the life you were born to live if you’re a truck driver, an essential service worker, or are in so many other businesses that are serving in tremendous ways to help those who need you so much.

Maybe you are a parent who is working from home and are facilitating home schooling while doing your work. You, too are living the life you were born to live – right in the middle of all of this – if you believe that you have been “called”.

I posted a great “Dad” video of the Senior Engineer of my son’s company last week. He spent time and energy, certainly beyond his business talents, to have all-out fun with his three children – using a simple water bottle and balls. His children were active participants in this “World of a Dad in Playland”. Right here in a time when he must work from home, this Dad found time to adventure with his children. And, quite frankly, I tend to think “THAT is the life he was born to live.” The life that is right here, right now, embracing the moments, making memories, creating family ties and bonds, and sharing it with the world – when the world needs to see something far greater than negative news reports and folks who are bemoaning their situation instead of “living the life they were destined to live.”

Yesterday, I was reminded of Who our Good Shepherd is in Psalm 23:1-7 “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff – they comfort me……” We have definitely been through the valley of the shadow of death as we daily hear new death tolls, but at the same time, we’re also living on the mountaintop of healing as we watch the recoveries’ numbers go up! Praise God!

Bottom line – are we being willing, obedient sheep who are allowing our Lord, our Shepherd, to lead and guide us into these “pastures” in our homes or hospitals or services as His devoted followers? He must have something in mind for us. Our Shepherd always looks out for His sheep and has placed us in a state of dependence – right where sheep typically live. No wonder “I shall not want” were words King David used in penning that beautiful and poetic psalm. In trusting Him and His “lead”, we'll be living the lives were born to live.

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

Remember those words from the "Sound of Music"? When the Von Trapp family sang that song as their final number at the German festival, they escaped to freedom in Switzerland.

This morning, I, too, am singing that song, but it's not because I'm escaping a negative situation to find freedom. It's because I already live in freedom which is produced by walking day-to-day in the confidence of God and His desires for me to live an abundant life in Him. I know that good-byes are always just temporary absence because here, or there in heaven, we'll meet again.

Since last Saturday, I've been in Tulsa which was like my "Farewell Tour" as all my responsibilities here are completed and it's time to go beyond the comfort zone to unchartered waters, but no concern, because God is already there where I'll end up.

My sweet Life Group sisters met for the last time Thursday night, and while we shared such precious memories of answered prayers, victories won, and great expectations for our future, we talked again about those "signs" that God gives us to show us we're on track.

One of the conversations we had was about the movie my family and I saw on Thanksgiving weekend, "Moana". It is definitely the Polynesian islands equivalent to the "Frozen" movie. As one of the gals looked at the overview of the movie on her cell phone, she said, "Donna, Moana is you! It is definitely a SIGN." As I read what she had pulled up, I agreed. "Moana is an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. (Well, quite obviously, I'm not a teenager, but I do own the fact that I am adventurous. And I am inspired to leave the safety and security of my comfort zone -- Tulsa, OK. And, more than anything, I desire to be an ambassador for God who wants to lead as many people as I can to be fully devoted followers of Christ.) Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana convinces the mighty demigod Maui to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a WAYFINDER like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: HER OWN IDENTITY. My sis-in-love reminded me that last year I ran my last Run-for-Ron marathon because I heard God say..."Donna, you've run-for-Ron long enough now (5 years to be exact), it's time to Run-for-Donna (my OWN identity).

Moana reminded me that, as a Christian, I should take my callings (my God assignments) seriously and pursue them with all my heart even if it is a journey with unknowns, maybe risks or costs. In other words, the selfless courage of Moana is something I want to emulate. "Moana” reminds me that I should let my mission in Christ and God’s calling in my life define my identity, not the easy peasy, comfortable circumstances or even the mistakes and disappointments along the way.

In parting, I say "Tulsa, and all my precious colleagues, friends, family and acquaintances -- THANKS for the memories. Thanks for the friendships. Thanks for making me better. Thanks for loving me, embracing me, helping me grow and BE who God destined me to be! I love you all so much. I'll see you later!"