The Purpose of Life

I arrived at the emergency room with a warm BBQ brisket sandwich, a box of crackers and a few cookies stashed in my large purse. I wasn’t sure what to bring.

I felt a bit panicked as I received the call 30 minutes prior from Bry that he was taking his sweet wife, Jodi, to the emergency room with stroke-like symptoms.  I looked around the kitchen for the requested “low-key” food. I fumbled. My daughter-in-law, Katie suggested a brisket sandwich and took over the kitchen clean up as I hurried out the door. 

The 25-minute drive was filled with reflection of how blessed I felt to live near my sons and their wives. They impress me, motivate me and generously include me in their lives. I thought of my dreams for the future with them, and their families.  My thoughts were interrupted by a call from Bry. It was a quick update. His voice was calm. I told him I was almost there and he told me he wasn’t sure they would let me back in the room but was grateful for me coming. 

Moments later I authoritatively “mommed” my way into the emergency exam room. I arrived to see this beautiful couple I am blessed to call family. I could see the pain in Jodi’s eyes and yet she smiled and welcomed me. Bry was generous with his gratitude for the snacks and assertively informed me of Jodi’s status- and diagnosis of a mini-stroke. I was impressed with his unwavering fortitude and understanding of the medical terms and conditions, having spent the semester taking a graduate-level neurology class. 

Over the next several hours as ER personnel came in and out of the room, reporting on test results, drawing blood, and ordering more tests, I observed the mood of the room. Bry emanated peace, strength, and courage. Jodi was candid and strong with her sense of humor regarding the barrage of questions. At one point, the nurse asked the required questions to complete the chart. 

“What year is it?”

“Where are you?”

“Why are you here?”

Simple complete answers were given to the first two questions.

The third question, Jodi paused and quipped…”Oh… you want to talk about the purpose of life…”

I was amused, humbled, impressed, and then deep in thought.  Certainly, THIS was the purpose. Easy days mixed with hard days… Times of joy and times of sorrow… Thoughts of certainty mingled with questions of uncertainty…
And through it all, I have a choice- Journey alone, succeeding or failing as per my own merit, or take Christ by the hand. 

On this particular hard day, as I observed a loving son warmly smile as he looked at his wife, who lay in obvious discomfort with cold toes and a bit weary from unanswered questions, I couldn’t help but be grateful.  My own journey to testimony and Christ was enunciated during hard days where I seemingly was at a crossroads of faith.

My son and his wife were growing in their Savior’s light and grace. God was entrusting them with this trial. I saw their faith…their resolve…and Christ’s light as it filled a cramped hospital room. Two young people, stepping in faith, choosing to trust in God and believing in strength beyond their own made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I felt my own resolve strengthen, and gratitude that there is a way to ease life’s burdens and feel the peace and joy that come as I choose to trust and believe in Christ’s ways, even on hard days. 

-JC

Chocolate Chip Coconut Macaroons

2 egg whites
½ teaspoon salt
14 oz. sweetened flaked coconut
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup all purpose flour
¾ cup mini chocolate chips
1 ½ cups chocolate melting discs

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Beat egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Stir together coconut, milk, vanilla, flour and chocolate chips. Fold egg white mixture into coconut mixture. Scoop out 18  2” balls onto parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes at 325 degrees. Let cool. Melt chocolate discs in microwave safe bowl. Dip bottoms of macaroons into chocolate. Return to parchment paper. Garnish with remaining melted chocolate. Let set. Share. Enjoy!

-JC