Has something ever happened in your life that makes you question your purpose in life? Makes you wonder if you are fulfilling the life you were meant to live? Perhaps something that made your mind expand a million times over and make you think about the choices in your life. Make you wonder if you can do more, give more. Make you wonder if your life can be bigger. This has happened to me a few times in my life. I think it is a natural part of growing up; questioning, wondering, and dreaming. To me, it has always been natural in my life. I have always dreamed big dreams of doing something big with my life, in giving back to the world and of being a world citizen.
Out of college all I wanted to do was work at a non-profit, with the hopes of it being an international one. Well, I did end up working at a non-profit but a local one (still a great place and cause). My dreams didn’t play out there as I thought they would. They actually made my dreams of working at a non-profit get a little bit wobbly. Then I strayed away from that, although sometimes working at a quasi-government entity feels a lot like a non-profit, especially when we are an essential service organization (water provider). The fulfillment, joy, purpose, and community I have found in that job has been unbelievable. Yet, at times, it has been hard on me to live in a small town in rural Virginia and work in an even smaller town. They may be foolish dreams but I always dreamed of taking on the world.
Yet, one thing I have learned in my first few years out of college, living the “normal” and “expected” life, is that life really is what you make it. You can live big dreams in a small town and change the world from right where you are, wherever that is.
Recently, I read a book that has both confirmed my ideas that I can make a difference no matter where I am but at the same time spurred on my deep down desires to do something radical in life and to really make a difference. The book is called Kisses for Katie, and it is on my must read list for everyone.
The book is about a girl (right out of high school) who has a yearning to go to Africa, which she does for a few weeks. Those few weeks give her a need to go back and do more. So she goes back for a year. Then tries to do what is expected of her and come back to her home in Tennessee and go to college. After a semester of that, she realizes her home is in Africa, with the FOURTEEN daughters she has adopted. Woah. Amazing. She starts a non-profit to help her small town and transforms the lives of so many people, most of them children. It truly is inspiring.
This book is a very spiritual book, but I believe any person, whatever religion they are or beliefs they have, would be truly inspired by the book. Katie basically gives up her life for God to guide it and the remarkable events and activities of her life truly show it. She is a person of complete unselfishness and love, yet so real and humble. Reading about her actions through her eyes shows that she is only doing what she feels led to do in her heart. It is awe-inspiring.
I thought I would share a few of my favorite passages that I highlighted while reading to truly help get the essence of her thoughts and activities over to you.
“…I quit my life. Originally quitting my life was to be temporary, lasting just one year before I went to college and returned to normal, American teenager life. But after that year, which I spent in Uganda, returning to “normal” wasn’t possible. I had seen what life was about and I could not pretend I didn’t know. So I quit my life again, and for good this time. I quit college; I quit cute designer clothes and my little yellow convertible; I quit my boyfriend. I no longer have all the things the world says are important. I do not have a retirement fund; I do not even have electricity some days. But I have everything I know is important. I have a joy and a peace that are unimaginable and can come only from a place better than this earth. I cannot fathom being happier.” (Kisses From Katie, page xviii).
“I certainly don’t believe everyone should sell all of their belongings and pack a suitcase and move to Africa. I don’t think people all over the planet should drop everything to go somewhere far from everything familiar and be missionaries. In fact, I believe anyone can be a missionary right where they are. Every day, we have a choice. We can stay nestled in our safe comfortable places…or we can take a risk, do something to help someone else, make a person smile, change someone’s world. Life to the fullest exists. It’s available. All we have to do is decide to get up and embrace it.” (Kisses From Katie, page 101)
“I don’t always know where this life is going. I can’t see the end of the road, but here is the great part: courage is not about knowing the path. It is about taking the first step.” (Kisses From Katie, page 247)
It makes you really think about your life and wonder if you are doing all the good you can for the world, wherever and whatever that may be for you. It also makes me think big again; something that I sometimes lose when I get so dredged down in my 9 to 5 life full of bills and these privileged first world responsibilities, as they seem in comparison to Katie’s in Africa. I am pledging to give over my life and try to become as unselfish and obedient as possible. To let God lead my life and dreams and actions to wherever they may go. Perhaps this blog is a way that I can reach people in the world and help, however that may unfold. This book is such a good reminder about what really is important in life. It’s a book that I want to pick up and read daily to just remind myself how privileged and blessed I am in this world and to always, always remember to give more.
What about you? How are you feeling? Have you dealt with big dreams in a small town? How have you helped make the world a better place in your own way?
Click here to read Katie’s blog.
Click here to learn more about Katie’s non-profit Amazima where you can directly help her cause and know where every penny of your donation is going.
All pictures are copyright of Amazima (unless otherwise sourced) and were copied from the Kisses from Katie blog.
Wow…I want to recommend this book for my Book Club, and I can’t wait to read it!
Your faith and values are evident to all who are fortunate to know you!
From your lucky Mother-n-Law!
You should definitely read it for your Book Club! I think everyone would get a lot out of it. I would let you read my copy but I mailed it to my sister, although I might buy my own copy for my own collection. If I do it’s all yours to read. Thank you for being such a wonderful mother-in-law!!
Hi Megan – I just finished the book. It is a life changer! Katie is an amazing young woman and God is good!!! From this book I have learned that I need to listen for the voice of God so that I can find out his plan for me (I know that it is not working in a basement office for a family law lawyer!). – Sara
Hi Sara! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. There really just is something about this book that makes you want to rise up and change the world just a little bit. I loved the inspiration that you took from the book and so appreciate you sharing it with me. I know the plan is just going to be amazing for you with such an open heart.
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