Christmas Gifts From God: A Talent

Are you a pitcher or a glass?
Psalm 42:1-2 (KJV) As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 

I love words, and I'm not the only one. Writing is my niche; the gift God gave me. Encouragement is my area of expertise. It burns in my heart and head. Do you get that? What makes you get out of bed every morning?

You have gifts, too. Mine was hard to uncover; or maybe I'm just thick. The Savior's plans were better and more fulfilling than any dream or idea I ever had. I gave up control, but received so much more. Can I be willing to serve, even when it's not convenient?

I must be careful not to fall in love with the sound of my own voice, or words. Am I following after God's heart, or mine? Being mindful of their origin makes me even more grateful for the gift. Like the passage in I Samuel 13, I want to be a "(wo)man after God's own heart."

Celebrate our differences. Some of us are pitchers, others are glasses. Maybe you're a plate or a fork! We all have a place at our Father's table. What does it take?


Obedience to God gives you liberty to fly, try new things, explore your gifts.

Boldness to walk forward, even when you can't see the path.

Trust Him...He knows. You just follow.


Stay thirsty for God, friends.

***

Female in Motion Health Update:  The port is gone, folks! Surgery was quick and easy, with such nice hospital staff around me. I am greatly blessed. The weight continues to drop, just a little each month.

***

Notable Quote:


"When I care very little what other people think of me then I’ve suddenly got room to care a lot about other people."—Holley Gerth(one of Female in Motion's heroes)

Comments

Nancy Hamilton Sturm said…
I am so thankful you are using your gifts! Keep up the good work.
December 11, 2013 at 8:38 AM
Female in Motion said…
Thanks, Nancy! I feel like we all have great gifts from God and have a responsibility to share with others. Thanks for being a faithful reader!
December 12, 2013 at 7:04 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meet Your Neighbor

Image
Note: I wrote this article several months ago for another publication. Although he was born and raised in a small town in New England, Grant Williams has come home to Arkansas City. The admitted baseball fanatic is a devoted husband to the lovely Bernice and father to four grown children, stepfather to three. Williams has traveled the world and worked a multitude of jobs only to settle here after retirement to live the thoughtful life of a poet and author. He speaks humbly of his work, listens closely and watches life unfold around him. And then, he writes. Every day. A large portion of Grant’s poems are about love, particularly his devotion to his wife, but he has penned volumes about sports, family, children, issues and our town. Williams seems to absorb emotion from life and the activity around him, and then processes it into meaningful tomes. “I love to write because I love to read,” the author muses. “Once you have something in print, you have to say, ‘I’m an author.’ You have to
Read more

Summer of Simplicity: Lift Someone Up

Image
  Hebrews 10:23-24 (KJV) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: In a hurry today? Me, too. With an endless To Do list, I don't know how I'll get it all done. If you're facing this kind of day, week or month, let me suggest something...helping others. When you're lifting someone up, shouldering their burdens, being the hands and feet of Christ, you are fulfilling God's commandments. He is so pleased with your service, our Heavenly Father will send others to lighten your load and may even reorganize your priorities. Life can be exhausting, and there are those who would spend all their time tearing others down, instead of laying a foundation of love. As you encourage those you meet, our Savior will send encouragers in your direction. Slow down and look around. Someone needs a hand up. God's time is unhurried. Why not try
Read more

Bravely Onward

Image
The day I started work at Rainbows United, I took the exit ramp onto K96 and encountered this billboard. Somehow, I felt that God had placed it there just for me. I know that Fidelity Bank in Wichita has a publicity campaign that encourages business owners and citizens to fight back against the perilous economic times we are facing. Our business had closed three months before, and I really needed a job. The billing specialist position at RUI came as a complete surprise. I knew their reputation and jumped in with both feet. Still, I was nervous. Could I do it? Was I strong enough? The billboard is still there, and I ask myself the same question every morning. What will I do? *** Notable Quote: "To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward."--John Bunyan
Read more