Day 6: Life Is a Temporary Assignment
Good morning, my beautiful readers.
Welcome back to The Untold Chapter.
Yesterday was one of those simple days that reminded me how beautiful ordinary life can be.
As many of you know, I’ve been putting a lot of love into my garden this year. Between the squirrels, birds, and other little visitors, protecting the fruits and vegetables has become a full-time job.
Yesterday, we finally put netting around the garden.
Looking at everything afterward brought a smile to my face.
The tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other vegetables now have a layer of protection while they continue growing throughout the season.
There is something special about gardening.
You plant the seeds.
water them.
You care for them.
Then you wait.
And during that waiting season, you trust God to do what only He can do.
Some of our crops will be ready before September, while others may continue growing into October and November. For now, we’re simply enjoying the process and watching God work.
Later that evening, we enjoyed another family movie night.
We watched The Bad Guys 2, and I honestly enjoyed every minute of it.
The lights hanging around the sticks outside created a cozy backyard movie theater that felt magical.
Maria stayed for the entire movie this time.
Yes, y’all.
The whole movie.
Rayshawn was front and center with me and Avery, completely focused on the screen.
Meanwhile, Maria relaxed on the outdoor couch Avery built for me.
Those moments may seem small to some people, but to me, they are priceless.
Day 6: Life Is a Temporary Assignment
As I continue reading The Purpose Driven Life, I can honestly say this journey is changing me.
Not just spiritually.
Not just emotionally.
But mentally as well.
Every chapter seems to challenge the way I think about life.
Day 6 was no different.
In fact, it may have been one of the most powerful chapters I’ve read so far.
Understanding How Brief Life Really Is
One of the first lessons that stood out to me was how brief our time on earth truly is.
Growing up, I heard people say things like:
“You’re here today and gone tomorrow.”
Back then, I didn’t fully understand what they meant.
Now I do.
Life moves fast.
One minute you’re a child.
The next minute you’re an adult.
Before you know it, years have passed.
This chapter reminded me that earth is not our permanent home.
We are simply passing through.
At first, that thought felt unsettling.
But the more I reflected on it, the more I realized it wasn’t meant to create fear.
It was meant to create perspective.
What Otis Taught Me About Seasons of Life
One section immediately made me think about Otis.
Earlier this year, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to find him a new home.
That was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.
Otis was with me during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.
When I was struggling and spending long days at home, it was often just me and him.
He was more than a pet.
a companionship.
He was comfort.
He was part of that chapter of my story.
Today, I know he is loved, cared for, and has another dog to play with.
That brings me peace.
Day 6 reminded me that everything on earth is temporary.
People enter our lives for seasons.
Pets enter our lives for seasons.
Even painful seasons eventually come to an end.
That doesn’t make them less important.
If anything, it makes them more precious.
Focusing on What Lasts Forever
One verse from this chapter stopped me in my tracks:
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV)
That verse challenged me.
We spend so much time focusing on things we can see.
Our homes.
jobs,
Our possessions.
Our routines.
Yet the Bible reminds us that these things are temporary.
The things of God are eternal.
The love we show.
The faith we build.
The lives we impact.
Those things last forever.
The Quote That Changed My Perspective
Then I came across a statement that completely changed how I viewed this chapter:
“At death, you won’t leave home. You will go home.”
Y’all.
I had to stop reading
thought about family members I’ve lost.
I thought about all the funerals I’ve attended.
I thought about hearing people say:
“They’re in a better place.”
“They’re finally at peace.”
“They’ve gone home.”
As a child, those words never fully made sense.
Today they do.
This chapter reminded me that death is not the end of our story.
For believers, it is the beginning of eternity with God.
That realization changed something inside me.
How This Lesson Changes My Life Today
At the end of the chapter, the question asked:
“How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?”
My answer is simple.
It changes everything.
It makes me want to be more patient.
More forgiving.
loving
More grateful.
It reminds me to appreciate Avery.
To appreciate Rayshawn and Maria.
To appreciate every conversation, every laugh, every ordinary moment.
Because none of us know how much time we have.
Life is precious.
Life is temporary.
And every day is a gift.
Storytime: Watching the Garden Grow
Standing in my garden yesterday reminded me of this lesson.
The plants are growing one day at a time.
I can’t force them to grow faster.
can’t control every storm.
I can’t stop every squirrel.
All I can do is nurture them and trust the process.
Life is the same way.
We don’t control tomorrow.
We simply trust God with today.
And maybe that’s the lesson I needed most.
Final Reflection
Day 6 taught me that this world is not my final destination.
I am grateful for the life God has given me.
grateful for the people He has placed in my life.
I am grateful for every lesson, every blessing, and every season.
Most of all, I am learning to hold things with gratitude instead of gripping them with fear.
Because at the end of the day, this life is a temporary assignment.
And I want to spend my time focusing on what truly lasts.
A Moment of Reflection
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of today. Thank You for every person, every lesson, and every season You have allowed in my life. Help me to focus on what truly matters and not get distracted by things that will not last. Teach me to love deeply, forgive quickly, and live with gratitude. Remind me that my true home is with You and that every day is an opportunity to grow closer to Your purpose for my life.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Motivational Quote:
“Life becomes more meaningful when we stop counting what we own and start appreciating what we’ve been given.”
Question for Readers:
If you knew life was only a temporary assignment, what would you change about the way you’re living today?
My story isn’t perfect, but it’s real and I’m still standing, still growing, and still becoming.
One Last Thought Before You Go
Life is full of chapters we don’t always understand while we’re living them. But I’m learning that sometimes the most powerful stories come from the moments we thought would break us.
And if there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s this: every season of life has a lesson waiting inside of it.
So here’s something I want you to think about today:
What is one moment in your life that changed the way you see yourself?
I would love to hear your story in the comments. Your experience might be the encouragement someone else needs today.
And if this message spoke to you, make sure you come back tomorrow… because I’ll be sharing another chapter of “The Untold Truth.”
Until next time,
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