Purpose in the midst of sadness...

 We drove to McKenzie, Tennessee on 11/1/12 to attend my grandfather's funeral.  Your great grandpa Bateman would have loved you to pieces. He would always say that "there could be no wrong in the world when you were holding a cute little baby." While it was very sad to say goodbye to him, he hadn't been living a good quality of life and we know he is now in a better place.  You were such a joy to have at the viewing and funeral alike. I really think you brightened people's spirits. When we visited great grandma at the nursing home, she smiled so big when you sat in her lap!

The weekend was emotionally draining, but the preacher who spoke at the funeral really left me thinking. He spoke about purpose and how Grandpa was a man of purpose.  He lived for God and thought about His desires before proceeding with any action.  Grandpa always thought of others first and I always saw this, but never thought of the purpose of this.  Like all other aspects of his life, he chose to think of others first, even when it wasn't the easiest thing to do.  He chose to attend church every Sunday. He chose to invest in his marriage that lasted for 60+ years.  He chose to lead by example in his town. He chose to put family first. He chose to read scripture and share it with others.  He chose to laugh every day to spread joy to those around him. I always saw these things, but just thought that he did these things because he was a good person. When the preacher spoke at his funeral though, I realized that he had a purpose everyday that was larger than himself.  His purpose was to know God and help others know Him, and I believe that he succeeded and is with Him in heaven now.

All the thought of purpose got me thinking about you.  You have brought a new meaning to the word purpose. I pray that Dad and I can live with a purpose and model this to you. I pray that you will learn to live with purpose. I pray that your purpose ties directly to God's purpose for you. I pray that you will analyze and think before you act. I pray that you will be a good example to those around you. I pray that you make the right choices for your life, whatever they may be. I pray that you live life to the fullest and appreciate the small things. Mostly though, I pray that when you inevitably lose your way as we all do from time to time, that you will know and experience the love, forgiveness, and guidance that comes from the One who gives us all purpose.