On April 6, 1936, Janet Beatrice Baird entered this world, uttering newborn squeals, at Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City, NJ. Yes, I was so eager to be born, I almost landed in the elevator. As a tiny 5 lb babe, never could I envision what my life had in store for me. We all start with that first cry, gasping in a breath of air, helpless and missing the secure, warm womb that had cradled, nourished and tenderly loved us for nine months. Now as I look back on 83 years of living in this world I can't help wondering, Why am I here? Do I have purpose and am I accomplishing that purpose?
When you have lived 80 plus years there are lots of memories. Fortunately, my memory is intact and I find it fascinating to look back. I spent my childhood through high school in Ridgefield Park, NJ, a small town in Bergen County, about 20 minutes from Times Square in New York City. In fact, I could see the top of the Empire State Building from my bedroom window. I was blessed with loving parents and one older brother. My parents cared for me, were proud of me, taught me right from wrong, prayed with me, brought me to Sunday School and church.
I remember when I was in kindergarten and Miss Wilkins read the NY Times telling us the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and we were now in WW II. Only bits of news were heard on the radio then, so that I felt distanced from the war. But the air raid drills and blackouts were scary. I remember riding my bike all over the town with little traffic. When I was about six years old I had a dream that I stood in a beautiful woodland and suddenly heavenly streams of sunbeams floated down on me and caused me to think, "Oh God, how He loves me!" When I was in 8th grade I wrote about that experience and won the Barbier Award for Teenage Success. Yes I loved school, hated arithmetic, always did my homework, loved baby-sitting at 35 cents an hour and fifty cents after midnight.
High school was fun....cheerleading, Honor Society, flirting with the boys, Friday night dances, walking a mile alone to my home at night, never fearing a thing. Then choosing Hope College, voted Vice President of my freshman class, waitressing in Voorhees dining room, dances at the Women's Lit Club called 'functions' because no dancing allowed on campus. Moving on to graduate from Columbia University School of Nursing. Falling in love with Hope alum, Dick....marriage in December, 1958. Four children came in 5 years. Then singing and winning a NY recital. Lay Witness Mission in 1971 where I surrendered my heart to Jesus. Solo evangelistic singing career. Raising Glenn, Beth, Carin and Diana in Wyckoff, NJ. Concerts on weekends with Dick home with the kids. Family came first.
Then retirement, moved out of NJ to Sand Lake, Ontario, Canada.......fishing, swimming, boating, gardening, ice skating, cross country skiing....friends and close church ties. Eighteen years later, brain cancer hits but with miraculous recovery. Move to Holland and Zeeland, MI. Dick now at 89 has mild form of dementia. My purpose in life has changed drastically over the years. Student, nurse, wife, mother, singer, now writer and caregiver. But I have chosen to let God be totally in charge of my life through prayer and reading scripture. 24/7 prayers result in intimate fellowship with God. Scripture gives me truth in all living.
Looking back I realize I won an award just by telling my simple story of God showering blessings upon a six year old. I sang hundreds of concerts singing about Jesus with the result peoples' lives were touched by the Spirit. Dick and I raised four wonderful kids and our family has now multiplied to twenty-three.
Did my life have purpose? And does it still have purpose today? YES! I believe Almighty God has plans for each one of us. We all have a purpose. Have you ever thought about what is your purpose in life? As I review my life I see how God worked in me and spoke to me. He has constantly led me and taught me to live a life that would demonstrate His incredible love. "Well done, good and faithful servant" is what we all want to hear.
