I recall the small piles of trashed
tissue, the puffy eyes, and the quivering lip. And I remember thinking
that there might be a problem. Hey,
just call me Mr. Sensitive. This is
the story of Gina, my dear
daughter—her big struggle and her fi nest discovery.
G ina was 18, a faith-filled homeschool graduate
looking for the next big thing. That’s when the questions started to avalanche in on top of her. The questions and related turmoil created what she later
referred to as her “midlife crisis.”
Her crisis was prompted by nice people who asked
tough questions: “Now that you’re all grown up,
what’s next?” and “What are your plans for the
future?” She had lots of impressive answers that satisfied friends and family. They just didn’t satisfy her.
And they didn’t get down to the heart of the real question with which she struggled: “What is the meaning
and purpose of my life?”
Frustration!
Because she lacked a clear and convincing answer to
the core question of life purpose, Gina struggled to
prioritize her days, establish relevant life goals, and
make solid plans for the future. She had ample drive
but was “directionally challenged” as opportunities,
needs, and friends pulled her first one way and then
another. Each day was busy, but her days were full of
activities that had no apparent purpose. The result?
Frustration.
Gina wasn’t the only one facing a challenge. As her
parents, my wife and I struggled to offer wise counsel,
give compelling alternatives to poor choices, and
Life Purpose
Planning
When Crisis and
Calling Collide
