Calling

I find it interesting to reflect on that word and see how it is used in our society. Called to be a mother, a homemaker, a homeschooler, a missionary, a fill-in-the-blank. I've been pondering my "calling". My life ambition if you will. Here is what I have come up with.

I am called....
To be filled with the Holy Spirit and produce His fruit, wherever I find myself in this moment or the next. Period.

WHEREVER I find myself. Here, in my response to my 2 year old spitting milk across the table, in my attitude to these chores that come round full circle every day, in my tone of voice on the phone to grumpy operators, in crossing paths with a disgruntled person on a city sidewalk, in snatched conversation turned intentional with anyone whose life intersects my own. In my authenticity to friends over a cup of coffee, in my arms and heart that receive my husband home at the end of the day and take up my mantle of helpmeet. Here in blog land. To people I glimpse hiding in the shadows of my own culture, and yes even other cultures, in some way I can find to reach out and touch them from my corner of the world.

In thinking about calling, I think it has to start within. What do people "get" when they look at me? When they brush momentarily up against this flower that is my life. Even more, *am* I a flower? What kind? Am I lovely? Am I fragrant? Does my life emit a comeliness and aroma that attracts and blesses and inspires? Or am I stinkweed (turn off)? Dandelion (status quo-a dime a dozen)? Rose, (beautiful yes, but those thorns keep people from drawing near). If I could visualize a flower that would reflect the qualities I want to exemplify in my life, what would that be? Something soft but hardy, beautiful but practical. Perrenial, propogating, aromatic, medicinal, a sweet and savory food source.... hmmm. I think I am on the search for a "life" flower. Ooooh.... magnolia maybe. So fragrant, so lovely, we had one about 15 feet from our house in Italy and I can picture it and smell it even now, an entire ocean and so many years away. It's giant blossoms so soft, it's petals so fragrant their scent would waft on the breeze and fill our entire house with their sweet perfume. My life also is a fragrance.

Beautiful how everything in nature and life can serve to point us to a deeper truth. If I look at life as a flower, the blossom is just the "end" of so many means. In all of these things for me to be planted, growing, reproducing... it comes down to the means. The soil one is planted in, the amount of sun, rain and nutrients one absorbs. It's all about how much of Him is being pulled into this stalk of my life through roots that are grounded in the soil of His Word. Through leaves that are turned upwards to the light of His glory.

What a priviledge to be "touched" with His pollen each day, flitting into my life via His word, by the words of His beloved children as His Spirit moves within and among us. How amazing that we, these thorny, woody, spindly saplings are His orchard. And He tends us with such love and patient dilligence. Watering, staking, fertilizing, training, grafting, pruning.... all so that we can produce good fruit for His kingdom. His fruit... Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Self Control. And in all circumstances, within, without, out and about... from the nearest to the farthest reaches of His creation to give Him glory and thanks. *This* is my calling.