"What are we doing here?"
That's what my daughter Molly asked halfway into a 2.5-hour drive to Pendleton County last week on our way to a softball doubleheader. We were around an elevation of 3,589 feet according to the last road sign we'd seen, our cell phones lost their signal, and even the satellite radio had given up on us.
It was a fair question as we trekked through the West Virginia mountains for a middle school softball doubleheader. A long way to go for a couple of games, especially when you're sitting in a car with a teenager who's wondering if her dad was lost and wondering when we’d find civilization again.
It was a beautiful drive, don't get me wrong. You go over a river, through some woods, up the mountain, down the mountain, and repeat that a few times until you finally reach your destination. It's the kind of scenery that reminds you why we love living in West Virginia. But it's also the kind of drive that makes you question your life choices when you're staring at another hour of winding mountain roads.
When we finally got there, the games were a mixed bag. Fairly routine day of softball, until something happened that changed the tone of the day.
One of our players got hurt during the game. An injury that was hard to watch. Her parents carried her to their vehicle and took her directly to the hospital. We didn’t know it at the time, but surgery would be required, ending her season. It hit hard, and it’s even harder for a group of teenage girls to process.
The games ended, and most of us didn’t expect what happened next.
Understanding the moment in a way few could, the other team's coach brought both teams together for a prayer circle. Kids from both schools, coaches, parents, all gathered around to pray for this young girl's injury.
That's what we'll remember from this trip. Not the score, or the long drive, and definitely not the fact that we got lost without cell service. We'll remember watching that coach show heart and character in a moment that mattered.
Molly will remember our dinner at CJ Maggie's in Elkins on the way home, where we talked about the day, and that moment. She even admitted that maybe the trip wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Years from now, we'll still be talking about this day.
God’s Plan vs. Our Plan
So what were we doing there? At the time, it felt like we were just making an unnecessarily long drive for a couple of middle school games. But looking back, it's clear we were there for something bigger.
We were there for a lesson in character. We were there to see how people respond when things don't go according to plan. We were there to witness a moment when faith showed up on a softball field in rural West Virginia.
That's often how God works, isn't it? Not always in the big, obvious victories, but in the small moments we almost miss. The inconvenient trips. The unexpected challenges. The times when we're asking "Why am I here?" only to realize later that there was purpose in it all along.
Scripture tells us "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7), and "The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance" (Proverbs 21:5). There's a balance there between trusting God's timing and being faithful with the responsibilities he's given us.
The Financial Journey Parallel
This whole experience reminded me of conversations I have with my clients. People often come to me asking some version of "What are we doing here?"
They're looking at their investment statements during a market downturn, or watching the news about economic uncertainty, or comparing their progress to what they see other people doing. They start wondering if their financial plan is taking them anywhere worthwhile.
When that happens, it’s natural to think of what is directly in front of you. The daily market swings. The scary headlines. The short-term results that don't tell the whole story.
If the market went up every single day and every headline was positive, no one would need a financial advisor. If investing were just a straight line of growth with no uncertainty, the path would be obvious to everyone.
But that’s not the reality. Markets don’t move in straight lines. Headlines aren’t always encouraging. And when things get uncertain, it’s easy to get sidetracked. Easy to lose perspective. Easy to start asking “What am I doing here?”
Just like that drive through the mountains, not every mile of your financial journey feels meaningful in the moment. There are stretches where you wonder if you're on the right path. There are times when you lose your signal and feel disconnected from where you are headed.
But that doesn't mean you're not exactly where you need to be.
Staying Focused on the Bigger Picture
Managing money isn't just about math and spreadsheets. It's about stewardship, patience, and faith. It's about making thoughtful decisions over time, even when emotions try to take over. It's about trusting that there's purpose in the journey, even during the uncertain seasons.
Here in West Virginia, we understand something about perseverance. Our families have weathered economic changes, industry shifts, and all kinds of challenges by staying focused on what matters most: taking care of each other and planning for the future.
The same principles apply to your financial life. When markets get volatile, when the news gets scary, when you start questioning whether your plan is working, remember that building wealth is a long-term process. The daily ups and downs don't determine your destination any more than one winding mountain road determines your whole trip.
Your job is to stay faithful to the responsibilities you've been given. Save consistently. Invest wisely. Avoid debt when possible. Plan for your family's future. Do those things well, and over time, the results tend to follow.
What Are You Doing Here?
So I'll ask you the same question Molly asked me: What are you doing here?
Are you reacting to every piece of financial news that crosses your screen? Are you letting short-term market movements drive your long-term decisions? Are you comparing your financial journey to what you see other people doing and wondering if you're behind?
Or are you staying grounded in a bigger plan? Are you practicing the kind of discipline and patience that builds real wealth over time? Are you trusting that there's purpose in your financial journey, even when you can't see the full picture yet?
Because one day, you'll look back on this season of your life and realize it wasn't just about investment returns or account balances. It was about the character you developed along the way. The discipline you practiced following the plan. The decisions you made when things weren’t easy.
Moving Forward with Purpose
At Good Life Financial Advisors of West Virginia, I help families navigate their financial journeys with clarity, discipline, and a long-term perspective.
If you’ve found yourself asking “What are we doing here?” about your finances lately, let’s have a conversation.
I’ll help you understand where you are, where you’re going, and whether your plan is built to handle both the smooth stretches and the winding roads.
Because when the road gets long and the signal drops, it’s not the moment to abandon the plan; It’s the moment to trust it.