“I’ve been to a place of deep loss. Cancer stole my husband, which shattered the team ministry we shared—hosting small groups; team-teaching a marriage refresher course; teaching, feeding, and planning fun activities for high school kids. It was meaningful work, but it all died when my husband died.
I’ve also been to a place of rebuilding. I know how to gather the broken shards and create new and meaningful purpose that I love just as much as the old purpose I didn’t want to lose. And I can show you how I did it.”
—Marlys Johnson Lawry, on why she wrote her book When Life Forces a New Purpose
About When Life Forces a New Purpose
Your days once held meaning, direction, and a deep sense of calling. Then an unexpected shift swept it all away—and now you wonder if life will ever feel the same again.
In When You Lose Your Purpose, author Marlys Johnson Lawry shares how the death of her first husband brought an abrupt end to the life they built together. Left widowed and uncertain, she entered a season of loss, detours, and starting over.
Yet she discovered something unexpected: purpose doesn’t disappear—it often waits on the other side of surrender.
Through her story, you’ll learn to navigate uncertain seasons with faith—making space for new possibilities and embracing the unknown.
Download our free printable, Words to Repeat When Life Has Forced a New Purpose, by clicking HERE.
About Marlys Johnson Lawry
After six years as a widow, Marlys is happily remarried to a widower, only to discover that she loves her new purpose in life just as much as the old one she didn’t want to lose. Â
An award-winning writer (Cascade Awards 2019 and 2022), Marlys has been published multiple times in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Bella Grace magazine, and a handful of national publications. Â
 Marlys lives at the foot of the Cascade Mountains in Bend, Oregon. She and her husband, Dan, volunteer working with the houseless and host Grandsons Camp and Granddaughters Camp every summer. The couple spend their spare time hiking, camping, snowshoeing, kayaking, riding Dan’s motorcycle, and taking road trips in their adventure van.Â
 Marlys is a self-admitted Chai latte snob and loves repurposing old junk into cool new stuff. She has a passion for helping people navigate the hard and holy moments, having negotiated a few herself.Â
***
Read Marlys’ articles on thegritandgraceproject.org and visit her website at marlysjohnsonlawry.com/.
