The Purpose of Life

Continuing on from the prior post. . .

I have heard and read many statements on the topic of the Purpose of Life. Most of them left me feeling a bit unsatisfied. These answers to the purpose of life seem to boil down to three main ideas:

1)  There is no grand purpose to the fact that we exist and live. We are simply part of the ecosystem and must determine our own purpose for living. When we die, we no longer exist. Our dust can help nourish other things to grow.

2)  God created us to praise and worship Him.

3)  God created us for companionship. Since the rest of creation is without free will (angels, etc.) their companionship is not by choice and therefore less than satisfying.

Now let's take these ideas one by one.

1)  This is the basic atheist view. I can actually understand how someone can be an atheist. Can we scientifically prove God's existence or that there is life after death? However, for me the balance falls on the side of the existence of God, from whom all else springs. The atheist viewpoint seems to me to be an incredibly sterile and pointless view of existence.

2)  Certainly, we the created should praise and worship our Creator. That just makes sense. But can I believe that is why he created us? This idea actually gives me a real sense of distaste. Why would a Creator who made the whole universe and is attended by legions of angels and other heavenly creatures need more worship and praise so badly that he made us? That makes God sound like nothing more than an unbelievably terrifying egotist. We are very puny creatures compared to the angels. We need God, but why would he need us? When we have children of our own, do we bring them into the world just to hang around and tell us how wonderful we are?

3) This concept pictures a God who is so pitiful that he must create humanity to have friends. It is usually presented as God's opportunity to have relationships with beings who, having free will, have chosen to be his worshipful companions, rather than having no other choice. If someone is your friend because there is no choice, it is not true friendship, not true communication. However, if there is no free will for the heavenly beings, how did Satan, the former angel of light, rebel against God? And then there is the Trinity; admittedly this is a mind-twisting concept. But, however you understand the Trinity, remember that Scripture says Jesus was there at creation. God was not without someone to talk to.

So, what is the Purpose of Life? Why did God make us? (Yes, I do approach this from the viewpoint of a believer.)

Tomorrow I will continue this topic.

TO BE CONTINUED

Cooling Off in the Good Ol' Summertime

Today the sun is shining and the temperature is predicted to reach the mid 60s (F.). That's not exactly summertime in this part of the world, and that warmth will yet come and go for quite some time before summer settles in. So, this may seem an odd topic for a barely-spring day in Wyoming.

However, I have learned that if something comes to mind that I might blog about one day, it is better not to wait. It may be in my mind today, but lost forever by the "appropriate" time!

In the non-airconditioned days of my growing up, our favorite way of cooling off on a hot summer day was running through the sprinklers. This is a fun activity that kids today can still be seen doing. All that is necessary is a hose with a sprinkler attached. Add some friends and you are ready for lots of shrieking, gasping, giggling, cooling-off fun.

When you take an overheated skin and spray cold water on it, the shock is instantaneous. It takes quite a few passes through the spray to accustom the body. Lots of dancing in and out, leaping, screaming, and daring each other to stay in longer takes place. Finally, there is the display of toughness--standing right over the sprinkler head for as long as possible! And, of course, someone will always pick up the hose and pursue the others with the sprinkler, trying to get close enough to deliver a good dousing. More shrieking and running! When thoroughly chilled, a towel and a spot in the sunshine is called for. When warm, do it all again.

Back Row: Darryl Lynde, one of the McHenry boys, Forest Putnam
Front Row: Michelle, Terry, Lois Dorr, Grace

My mother took these photographs of a group of us--sisters, visiting country friends, and neighborhood buddies--gathered in our swimsuits, ready for a sprinkler party, one day in about 1948 or '49 (just guessing on the date by the size of the kids).

Don't you just love how stylish our suits are? Actually, I really like the one Grace is wearing. Terry's and Lois's are very much in the style of the times, and mine was obviously meant for someone a good deal more mature than I!

More Photos to Share

OK, gang, I know Cordelia's day has been really well documented by at least four bloggers, but I have a few more pictures I'd like to share. Tina, I told you I'd share my photos, and this is how I'm doing it!

The elusive trumpeter, Steven, and his Grandma Grace.

Sweet Elise

Great-Grandma Grace with Elise.

Cousins, Steven and Sam

BFF Sadie investigating her treasure bag.

Cordelia in her sparkly pink birthday hat that Tina crocheted.

Grandma Sue with Elise and friend Sarah with Ari.

"Pick me up, Mommie!" Elise is only two-and-a-half months old, but she prefers viewing the world standing up.

A sweet Mother and Baby moment.

Three Years Old

Saturday was my great-grandniece Cordelia's birthday.

Now she is three!

She is a very bright, talkative, busy, active, and loving little girl. She is a good big sister to baby Elise. She loves the color pink. She was thrilled to know on her birthday morning that she had reached the same age as her best friend, Sadie (who turned three two months ago).

Her grandmother, Sue, has blogged about the birthday here, but I am going to add my perspective anyway!

I traveled to the birthday girl's town with her great-grandmother (my sister Grace), my niece Tina, and Tina's son Steven. The two-hour trip passed very pleasantly as we visited with one another. We women all love to read, and the conversation turned to books. After a time, teen Steven remarked that he didn't know how anyone could talk that long about books!

Steven plays the trumpet in the high school/junior high marching band, pep band, and jazz band. He is totally obsessed with his music. I had not yet heard him play; the birthday party was my first opportunity to. In fact, the party in the park had a lot of live music. A short distance from the shelter where our party was, another group was gathered that had a live band. When their band took a rest, Steven consented to play for us. Because the trumpet is a loud instrument, he walked some distance away, stood in the shade of a tree, and played. He is a very talented trumpeter!

The purple balloon with white
polka dots led the little girls to
one of the treasure hunt clues.

Cordelia and her best friend, Sadie, had a treasure hunt devised by dad Eric. At the end of the clues, they found goody bags with lots of fun items from the Dollar Store. Their favorite things seemed to be the princess tiaras, which they wore for the rest of the party. The little princesses were so sweet together. They played and shared and looked out for each other. Not always the case with three-year-olds!

Mom Maria arrives with the cupcakes and is greeted by her grandmother, Grace.

Dad Eric decorating with balloons. Our party setting was enticing to some small children who were
gathered with their family in a neighboring shelter--they kept trying to escape and come to Cordelia's party!

Grace with great-granddaughter Elise.

Great-aunt Tina with Elise, who happily gnawed on her finger.

Blowing out the candle.

Sadie and Cordelia eating cupcakes (they ate off the delicious strawberry frosting and left the rest), with Eric.

Of course, there were pink cupcakes, Happy Birthday was sung, presents were opened. But I think the dollar tiaras were the biggest hit of the party!

Princess Cordelia and Princess Sadie with the popular maracas.