A New Journey

After raising two boys, I needed something to help me find purpose. God led me to real estate.

Words by Stacey Guthrie | Image by Ryan McGill

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

In John 15, Jesus is very clear. Not only does He give us this direction to love others, but His demonstration of love is through sacrifice.

Service is a form of sacrifice. It’s emptying yourself for the benefit of another. It’s counting others needs before your own. It is the ultimate source of fulfillment in life—living for Him by loving His children.

Service can take many forms. My greatest and most privileged form of service has been that of motherhood. I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to stay at home with our children. Early on, Jason and I felt such conviction that God had entrusted us with an incredible responsibility—the lives of our two boys, Jacob and Jonah. I did fully expect, however, that I would start my career once our boys started school. But when our oldest finished first grade, we felt called to home school. We started that journey in the fall of 2004 and finished completely in May 2018. What a gift, but man, what a sacrifice!

I spent the entirety of my twenties, thirties, and early forties trying to lay a solid foundation for the boys. No stone was left unturned. Moms and dads alike know how much they have to empty themselves so they can successfully launch their kids into this world.

But as that chapter of my life began to close, I began to feel a profound sense of loss. I knew my job with them was done. I was so proud of the fine young men God had raised our sons to be, but I didn’t really know what to do anymore. I realized I had lost myself. I’ll never stop being “Mom,” but I needed new reason and purpose.

Scripture is clear in what our purposes and reasons are. We find joy in loving Him and loving others, and I knew I needed to find a way to add value to others’ lives in order to fulfill my own. I chose real estate because it is an area of service to my community that is marked by this. Real estate agents are entrusted with a great responsibility: guiding people through some of the most important financial decisions of their lives. They must build trusting relationships and exhibit character and integrity.

I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to demonstrate that kind of service to my hometown. We’ve all heard that life is a journey. It’s true. I want mine to be marked by obedience to my Heavenly Father. Every chapter is an opportunity to experience joy and fulfillment.

Living. Loving. Serving. 78