I LOVE winds, and big clouds, and dramatic weather, and as I sit in the backyard this morning, enjoying the aftermath of Hurricane Hilary, I thought what life would have been like if we would live in the Pacific North West. Living in a climate that suits my personality more. I come alive when the temperatures are around 65, the winds are blowing and the dramatic clouds move along the sky.

When Jim and I got married many years ago we thought much about our life plans, where we wanted to be, what we wanted to do. Neither of us is ‘career oriented’, it has never have been about making big money, climbing the ladder of success and all that (nothing wrong with it). As followers of Jesus, we wanted to serve and go where God leads. Which has taken us to amazing places: China, Guatemala, Mexico, Haiti, Kenya, and the past 30+ years Central Valley of Merced. We love our lives (well, except summers in Merced), we love the work we get to do over the years and we would not trade it. We chose to live here in Merced and I enjoy the occasional ‘storms.’

Which made me think about our Merced community, the teachers, and public servants, and all the other people we encounter every day. Do they have choices on where they want to live? Did they chose their careers to serve others? Did they know who they were going to encounter when they went into the career field? Did they know the endless hours of preparing? Did they think about the hatred they would encounter? Did they know that, even while working hard, they could barely make ends meet?

Do they dream of living somewhere else? Do they wish for a different life? Do they hope for something better? As we go into this week, let’s remember that “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always." You don’t know what struggle the person is encountering, what dreams where shattered, what heart break is behind their smile.

While we might never live in the Pacific North West, we get to be with people who love this community, we get to be with people who care, we get to do what we love to do the work we enjoy.

Have you found your place yet? Are you comfortable where you are? I am not talking about ‘settling’ but having a deep understanding of your place in this world and the impact you can have by living into your purpose. There is only one of you, so make sure you don’t lose yourself in this world. Make sure that what you do you enjoy and fulfills your bigger picture.

As for me, today, I enjoy the ‘storm.’