Purpose in the Pain

by Michele Boy | November 6, 2025

It’s November! It’s a beautiful cool, fall Wednesday morning as I write this. I took a walk with my dogs, chatted with my friend, and coughed. But the cough has been way better!
Tuesday was Election Day. The contest for mayor of Coolidge was one many were watching. The result based on unofficial results was a difference in two votes. In local races, you can’t say your vote doesn’t matter. 
I also saw at 6:00 PM MST, a major Kansas news network announced the polls were closed. They close here at 7:00 PM MST. At first I was irritated. No they are not! There are a few counties on mountain time! But then I remembered how important local news can be. Shameless plug to get a subscription to The Syracuse Journal or buy one for a friend. lol. Now back to our regularly scheduled column...
I admit that I woke up on Wednesday heartbroken by the news of the election for mayor in New York City. I won’t get into the deeper details except to say fear and concern took over. I found myself struggling to do basic tasks. 
Since I am 1,487 miles from there, that can seem silly to many. But a piece of my heart is still there with many friends and family. And what could happen if this movement spreads throughout the country.
Agree or disagree with me politically, I think we can all agree we have had moments of despair in our lives. Politics is a struggle because no matter which side you are on, you can see the challenges the country faces when the opposing team wins. 
I am generally a centrist, so I do see the pros and cons of both sides and hope somehow we can find some middle ground to agree on. 
Regardless, my point of this column isn’t exactly politics. It is the moments when we feel helpless. Maybe it is someone else’s decision and that affects you. Perhaps you have a teenager making less than stellar choices.
Sometimes we can only watch, try to guide, and then let go for them to experience consequences of their actions. I saw a meme that said - Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of my own actions. It was funny until I could relate to it. 
As I sat there in sadness, a notification popped up on my phone. It was a daily bible verse from an app my daughter had turned me on to. It was Matthew 5:17 - Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. 
Ah, suddenly my attitude changed. There is purpose. 
I don’t always see it. But there is purpose in the pain. 
Facing our consequences is important. Maybe it keeps us from doing something worse down the road. 
I am not in charge of New York City politics. I didn’t vote there, I don’t live there, and if I spend my entire day focused on something I don’t have control of, I will miss my opportunites. God is in control, not me. 
And things may not go the way I want them to. But there is a purpose, a plan, and surprise, no one asked me. ha. 
If I sit and watch videos or read articles reinforcing the struggles I contend with, I will fall deeper into that helpless despair. 
I think it is important to remember that all I can do is take care of me. And even sometimes that becomes challenging. 
 Today is a great day to make checklists, set limits, and do some positive things that will create some joy and harmony in my life. 
 I have already completed a few of my tasks including a brisk walk with my dogs and a friend. I have had fresh air. I helped someone this morning. 
I have a meeting this afternoon, errands to complete, and some reading to do on my 2025 book challenge with our local library. 
I have four books left to go! 
What does your day, week, weekend look like? What challenges are you facing? What looks like despair? 
What brings you hope? Maybe take some time to focus on a few things that bring you joy. Maybe do a few things that are good for you. 
I am pretty lousy at drinking water. My first choice to grab a book or my phone is my phone. Sometimes our best selves come from getting uncomfortable. 
We have this one day. I hope we can use it for good.
See ya next week!