Because contentment doesn't just happen.

I try to live my life with purpose, and there are many ways I do this. Since becoming a stay-at-home mom and wife, I find myself trying to figure out where my place is and who I'm called to be. Obviously, I 'm meant to be a wife and mother, but wives and moms don't all look the same.

What are my gifts and talents? What do I like to do? What hobbies do I enjoy? What's my parenting style? How do I create an efficient schedule? What routines work best for me? Where am I supposed to be serving? How should I teach and train my daughter? How can I be the wife my husband needs?

I have so many questions and new areas to explore. One thing I like doing is writing my thoughts, like I'm doing right now. For the past seven years, I've thought that maybe I'd like blogging. I've dabbled in it a bit, and I wonder if it's what I'm supposed to do. While I might enjoy it, do I have anything to say, anything that's worth reading? Not sure. So I'm going to start a new blog and see if that's where I'll find my niche.

One of my goals in life is to be content. Truly content. Not just comfortable, but satisfied--fulfilled. I think many people are under the impression that contentment just happens based on our given circumstances. But I know from experience that every area of life could be going perfectly and I could still be discontent. I believe that contentment is found when a person has a clear purpose and is intentional with everything—time, money, relationships, work.

So after a year and a half of being a mom, I’m still trying to find out what it is I’m supposed to be doing. I ask the above questions constantly. I experiment with different things to see what works for me. Sewing, knitting, crafts, reading, exercising (treadmill or Pilates?), and the list goes on. To my surprise, I’ve discovered that I do not enjoy some of the things I thought I would. At times I’ve felt guilty about it and thought that I needed to practice it more to get better. Now I’m realizing that when it comes to hobbies, I shouldn’t do them if I don’t enjoy them! Ahhh, that’s a freeing thought.

The second half of the year 2014 was survival. I was just learning how to cope with a baby. The year 2015 was discovering myself and my interests. This year will be dedicated to figuring out how to incorporate my interests and skills into my home life. I want to become better at managing my home; it is my job after all. I want to take my roles seriously and lay out clear action steps to accomplish my purpose.

I want to be intentional.

My first step: coming up with a mission statement.

". . . for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." -Phil. 4:11b