Investing.

Proverbs 22:6 (King James Version)
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

I was working on retreat stuff here tonight when I heard a fascinating commercial.
It was about investing. One of those big name firms.
The man on the commercial said, "I want to contribute as much to my kids' future as they contributed to mine."
It was a light bulb moment for me.
I don't even know if I can articulate what it meant to me.
I just have this overwhelming sense of purpose in my life.
Much of that purpose is directly connected to our heavenly Father, but there are other facets of my purpose that are more directly connected to my children (ultimately to God as well).

Prior to moments of motherhood, I had squandered much of my effort on things selfish, with diminishing returns...
Upon the mere mention of their existence, my life was filled with a purpose not of my own self.
The arrival of my children provided me with a future.

Reciprocity. I want to invest in their future, in part, because of the profound impact they have had on MY future.
I am not necessarily speaking of things monetary, although it is my belief that responsible stewards strive to ensure provision for their families.

But on the whole, an investment in their spiritual futures, their eternal journey, their lifelong relationship with their Creator, even the quality of their personhood.
That is what my future is about. It's my purpose.
Their very existence gave me my future.
Can there be any greater reward for an investor than to see exponential return on a worthy investment?