Finding My Purpose

from May 2020

Learning To Rest

by Miriam Little

“I n all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path” (Proverbs 3:6).

Being the child of a preacher, I was not always sure what my purpose was in life. My family always encouraged me to live my life in a way that was serving God and others. As I became an independent young adult, I found that the encouragement I had received was helping me to find fulfillment in my everyday life. As I started my own family and career as a social worker, my direction became clear. My purpose to serve God and others became my passion, which was to help families as a whole, and not just individuals.

In September of 2015, I started my position as a Medical Social Worker with Harbin Clinic Cancer Center. Initially, I was hesitant about what I could bring to an already awesome team of nurses, doctors, and support staff. I was not sure what God’s plan was for me or how I would fit in. The team I had just become a part of already served their patients and families well. The role of a social worker in the organization was newly developed. Therefore, I felt a sense of newly discovered land filling my heart: what I imagine Columbus may have felt. I had mixed feelings of self-doubt, nervousness, and excitement all at the same time. These feelings subsided after the reassurance I received from this great team, who has withstood the test of time.

Working with cancer patients, and their families, has a way of providing meaning to the simplest of things. Reading the brave stories in Faces of Hope and Voices of Cancer gave me an optimistic attitude and a sense of service, hope, and purpose. I feel that I found my destiny and that path that God meant for me to be on. Through my role with Harbin Clinic, I became involved with Summit Quest, whose sole purpose is to “provide Strength, Hope & Service to children and families affected by cancer,” and this is where I found my niche. My role as a liaison to the Hispanic community and vice president on the board of directors for Summit Quest has allowed me to see God’s work in progress. As I continue searching for my niche as a bridge to connect patients and their families to needed services, I can’t pass the opportunity to thank organizations such as Summit Quest. To the staff, volunteers, and each family member who has been a part of this special cause, thank you!

Whether you have been directly or indirectly affected by cancer, there is always something you can do. I urge each person to please consider donating your time, prayers, and resources toward this special cause, Summit Quest!

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson