Purpose Becomes Important When Trouble Comes in Threes

Purpose becomes important when trouble comes in threes. I wish it didn’t take trouble coming in threes to make me think about my purpose in life on earth.

Last week I returned home after a fantastic time at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. I had the blessing of teaching there again for the fourth time.

My neighbor said, “While you were away, I saw U-Haul trucks at ‘Ginny’s’ house. The drivers took everything out of the house. Do you know anything about that? Did she tell you she planned to move?”

I assured her I didn’t know anything, but would find out. I discovered “Ginny” had unexpectedly died. As I recalled our many conversations about flowers, family, and ministry, I grieved for all of us who knew ‘Ginny’ and would miss her.

One thing for sure, Ginny lived with her purpose on earth foremost on her mind. She served with all her heart and soul in missions and music.

I called my friend who completed chemotherapy and radiation. She was in the hospital for her scheduled surgery the next day. After surgery, I spoke with her daughter.

My friend Sharron went from a pre-surgery diagnosis of stage 1 pancreatic cancer to a post-surgery diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had metastasized to the liver. The doctor recommended hospice.

Once again, shock and grief struck me. Our friendship dates back to the time my late son was a baby. We’ve taken turns visiting and calling each other for years.

Sharron loves her family and always focuses on being the best wife, mother, and grandmother she can be.

Today, I opened my email to read that a colleague from the National Speakers Association (NSA) had passed away. She had been my NSA Pro Track (Speakers Academy) facilitator years ago. Memories of a delicious luncheon at her home, our NSA meetings, and mastermind group discussions came to mind.

Sadness overwhelmed me. I recalled a friend’s statement, “Trouble always comes in threes.”

More importantly, I sensed the reality of life’s brevity. This world is not my home. My citizenship is in heaven, and only what’s done for eternity will matter.

I must sit with my Bible, my journal, and a pen to talk with God again about my purpose on earth. I need to evaluate the past six months and the past year in view of my purpose on earth.

If you receive similar news, what will you do? You, too, can sit with you Bible, a journal, and a pen to talk with God about your purpose on earth.

Perhaps you don’t know what your purpose is. You can ask God to show you what your purpose is and how you can fulfill it.

Romans 14:8: “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

Prayer: Dear God, comfort me during this time of loss and show me what my purpose on earth is. Then please help me fulfill it. Amen.

Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega August 15, 2016. Updated December 30, 2017.