How to Grow (and Raise) an Alien...or Two

I just had a strange thought. Do people have a second child in case something happens to the first one? I realize that this sounds morbid and rather psychotic, but it's not an unheard of theory...it's just never been stated this way. People think it. You know they do. They just don't say it outloud. Ever been to a funeral for someone's child? Overhear someone say, "Well, it's so good that they have little Johnny. If they didn't have him, they would probably just fall apart." Looks to me like little Johnny has some big shoes to fill. I am so in love with Ainsley. I never knew that I was capable of that kind of love until she was born. I know that, now, if she were taken away from me, there would be a huge void...where would I direct this love? Do we have more than one child just to ensure that we have someone upon which to bestow our parental love? Or do we do it just so we have more hands to work the fields?

In about 4 months, I will be jobless. Normally, I would view this as a positive thing, but I think that the change will feel very strange to me. It's not that my job defines me or anything, but what exactly is my purpose? Is it to provide for my family? Is it to look after my family and simply give them the love and support that they need?

My church is currently in the midst of a "40 Days of Purpose" seminar type thing based on the book Purpose Driven Life. I'm wondering if everyone comes out of it with the same basic purpose for their life since they're all using the same book and attending the same seminars. Or let's go the non-cynical route and assume that everyone really and truly does discover what their true purposes are. Does everyone really want to know what their purpose in life is? I mean, it would be really great to find out that your purpose is to change the world in some meaningful way...discovering the cure for cancer; getting the world's leaders together to achieve global peace; become president, a senator or even a judge; be a part of a charity that really makes a difference; own a business that is based on morals and good judgement that serves as a model to all other corrupt businesses; be a parent that raises children of integrity - who in turn grow up to have their own amazing purposes...

BUT...what if you find out that your purpose is to pump gas until you retire (I know of one such person) or that you are to be a drone for your entire life so someone else can fulfill their purpose of being a leader? After discovering what your purpose is, are you allowed to try to alter it if you don't like it? I really do believe that everyone has a God-given purpose, but why do we feel like it's necessary to label ourselves with this purpose? If we live our lives the way that we should, do we not trust God to integrate this purpose into our lives? Isn't trying to find out what our purpose is sort of like trying to understand what God's plan is? Do we not trust that God has a plan for us?

I'm all for the concept of life-long learning, but in this case, I'm wondering is ignorance isn't bliss.