Challenge#2 was to think about my natural gifts and talents. Not an easy task. I don’t feel very gifted or talented when all I do is stay-home all day, drive the kids around, clean, cook and clean some more. I don’t feel I have much to offer when I barely get my house in order and YES I still have my Christmas tubs in my house!
But upon forced contemplation I was able to come up with a list:
1. Organization-My friends always tell me how organized I am. I have a “control center” and a “menu board”. I keep all my recipes in my recipe binder. I have a Christmas binder, for goodness sakes!
2. Throwing parties- family/friends enjoy my parties. I really try to give my 100% to throwing my children parties. Maybe it’s because I only had two birthday parties that I can remember. Or maybe it’s because I feel someday they will look back and remember with gratitude all the effort I put into making their day special.
3. Writing-Writing, like everything else, takes practice. Sometimes I feel like I can’t express what I am trying to say very well, but other times I write in my journal or I write a prayer and I blow myself away. I used to write short stories and I really miss that. Someday, I think I’ll explore that again.
4. Rising above (resilience)- when diabetes, celiacs, dyslexia, homeschooling, and ADD came my way, I tried to tackle it head on, learn everything I needed to know to face my fears about it.
5. Creativity- I am creative. I may not come up with the ideas, but I love crafting, scrapbooking. I know I would love sewing and cake decorating if I had the time.
6. Helping others- my greatest joy is helping others who are struggling with something I am struggling with or struggled myself.
7. Teaching- I love teaching! My kids and other kids. Right now I love my K-1 movement class that I am teaching for our co-op. I am already planning what I want to teach for next year and I am so excited.
So there.
I thought of 7 really positive gifts and talents.
Actually, I thought of an 8th. The gift of compassion. It may not sound like much of a gift or talent, but this is a different gift. Along the lines of helping others, these are gifts given by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:6-8: We all have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If its is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach, if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
I can honestly say that he has given me the opportunity to exercise all of these gifts (except prophesy). I am thankful for this challenge because I realize that I am not just a Busy Mom. I am an important member of Christ’s Church and I have worth!!!
Ligia
