Finding Your Gift

  

 

Growing up, I have had friends and family that have such obvious gifts from God, it almost seems unfair. The artists I know have been blessed with such unity between their eyes,hands and imaginations it's like they inherited God's mind when He created this world. The musicians I know are usually self taught and can play anything on just about any instrument whether or not they can even read music! Then there are those blessed with the true gift of gab-they always know the correct thing to say to the right person at just the right time. I used to be jealous because it seemed God had forgotten me in the gift giving department. Sure I've been told more than a few times that my writing and poetry were amazing, but it didn't seem like that to me. To me it seemed my writing was entertaining at best, but not awe inspiring or moving as were the gifts of those around me.

     Today as an adult I can say I know this to be completely untrue. God makes no mistakes and He has created each of us with something that can be used of service to others. I believe that is the key to finding your gift- not looking for that amazing something someone else has that you don't. This is self serving. Or trying to feign a gift you don't have in order to get rich off it quickly. Self- serving again. It is purely my sole opinion that until a person can humbly and consciously (or subconsciously) determine that whatever they" just happen to do well" will be used towards the service of others and the glorifying of the Lord, they may never truly be able to recognize their own gift. This saddens me- because I've been there...some days
I still am.

     I don't want to leave this world being just another anonymous face in a sea off homo sapiens. But I don't want the world to mourn the loss of my life because I was famous for absolutely nothing of substance either. When my time comes and my writings and a few pics left behind are the only vivid connection people have to my being here, I want the world to be able to say without a shadow of a doubt: First and foremost she lived to serve God, then she lived to serve others. Heck, make my epitaph read, "Here lies Maria. She lived to serve."

     Mark 10:41-45:

 ^{41 -45}When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage."

     That is my gift- I love to serve. I can't draw a straight line, move people to a tearful ovation with my singing or playing of any instrument; I can barely sew,can't  fix things or build things or speak eloquently enough to move stadiums of crowds to do my bidding,lol, but I can and LOVE to serve. Ask anyone who knows me why I love Christmas. It's a chance to bring a smile to someone else's face. I have been known to randomly clean various rooms of people's houses when I was younger, just to surprise them while visiting them with my mom. I would mow lawns for the elderly for free in summer, I even offered my winter coat as a pillow of sorts to my high school tormentor once when his leg was broken. I love to love people. It feels SO GOOD to have people know they are loved. Yes, I believe this is my gift. And this is my blessing for which 

I am thankful for today. I am blessed to not be arrogant or self serving.

And in the spirit of this wonderful gift, I am have my first GIVEAWAY!

This week's FREE GIVEAWAY is my own personal copy of the book Jesus Freaks:Martyrs.

     This is one of my favorite books, for it tells many true stories of men,women and even children who refused to back down from their Ultimate Devotion and ended up offering the most precious gift they had- their lives.

     This moving book can be yours. Simply leave a comment, and you are automatically entered. Additional entries can be yours for the price of a "like" on Facebook, or a "Follow" on Twitter. Giveaway ends 8/3/2011 @10pm EST. Winner will be chosen at random. Odds of winning based on number of entries received.  Any questions, feel free to email me: just click the Gleaning from the Fields tab and you are on your way! Good Luck!