The Sweet Spot

Ok…deep end time…

In the wake of this weeks tragic events at Virginia Tech, I found myself thinking about life…the brevity of it, the preciousness of every moment, the good things, the bad things, etc. I thought, “If my life ended today, could I say that I did what I was put here for?” Could I say that I had found my “sweet spot?”

What do I mean by “sweet spot?” I’m glad you asked. I have two different defintions. In the broadest definition, I mean those moments you know you will never, ever forget. Moments that are etched in your psyche like they were put there by the finger of God. As a husband and a father, I’ve had some of those moments: when Amanda and I kissed for the first time; when she told me I was going to be a dad; when I held Caroline for the first time; the first time Caroline smiled at me; pretty much everything that’s happened with me and my girls! But there are moments like the time I got to pray with a friend dying of cancer. In those moments, it’s like a tuning fork rings in your soul, and you realize that THIS is why you’re here. It’s to love, and to let yourself be loved.

But by “sweet spot” I also mean one thing. Think Jack Palance in City Slickers, holding up his finger to Billy Crystal. I firmly believe that God has given us all life, and alloted our days, for specific reasons. I think that each of us has a “mission,” if you will, a job that He’s given us to do. I think some people figure this out early on, and know what’s been put in their hearts, and they run after it with all thier might. For most of us, however, I don’t think it’s that clear. I know I’ve had this feeling in my gut for about 9 years now that there is something I’m supposed to do besides be a salesman. I don’t know what that is, although I’ve tried to “force the wedge” (that’s props to you, Bub, and our Trivial Pursuit days!) and make my ideas fit God’s plan. Obviously, that doesn’t work. But I know, in my heart, that there is something I’m supposed to do, besides being the best husband and father and friend that I can be.

I get glimpses, from time to time. I have moments when that tuning fork goes off, and I think, “yeah…this could be it!” But not yet. So I go on. I don’t do what I once tried, which is focus so much on the future that I miss the present. I try to live my life, savoring each day and each moment as best as I can. I fail miserably at this pretty much constantly, but I try. My prayer is that each of us will live our lives in the sweet spot. That we will try to enjoy the moments we’re blessed with, and yet still seek for the “one thing” that God has for us.

I hope the tuning forks in your hearts begin to ring loudly and clearly. I can’t think of anything more awesome than people living the lives God gave them to live.

Grace and Peace,

T.N.