The Way We Give

There are a lot of things I don't do well. I'm not much of a gardener. Even house plants are forever doomed once they enter my home. I have no eye for decorating. If I were given a ton of money to redo my home it would up looking like a strange collection of objects gathered on walls, or everything would simply stay bare since it feels more sane that way. I am also pitiful at ironing clothes or remembering to get stains out of anything. 

I don't have those gifts. But thankfully, there are other things I'm good at.

Have you ever thought about your gifts? Your talents? If you haven't, you should. God has given us all a unique set of abilities that are different than anyone else. And some of us, if we never think about what we do well, we will never consider giving of the best of ourselves to others.

This Sunday when we went to pick up the girls from their weekend stay with Jovani's parents, I also had a birthday dinner to enjoy. The food was excellent, as always. My mother-in-law is always blessing others with her amazing cooking. And then there was a gorgeous cake decorated by our dear friend Claudia. I always love seeing one of her creations. They are works of art. But it is her heart behind those spectacular deserts that awe me even more. Claudia is a giver. She loves finding others to bless and her cakes bring so much joy to others. They help her connect with people. They make people feel loved, unique, and special. It is such a beautiful talent, one that she hasn't squandered away. 

In the bible Jesus told a precious parable about three servants given different amounts of money before their master went away. Two out of the three invested the money and when the master returned they were able to give him double what he had left with them. But the last servant hid his money, afraid to take it and lose it. That money did not do anything but sit buried in soil. The master was  so pleased with the two servants that had took a chance and did something with those assets that he shared with them of all his belongings. However, the last servant was sent away and given nothing at all.  (Matthew 25:14-30)

I sat on a chair and indulged in a lovely Tres Leches cake. I pondered the talents that God gives his children. None of those abilities are small when they are used for His purposes. But they have to be used. They have to be taken into the world in order to make a difference. That can be a pretty frightening idea for many of us. We would prefer to keep our abilities safe within our own home and family than risk exposing ourselves to critisism. However, accepting what you are good at and bringing it out into the world with faith can be the most liberating experience you  ever had. When you can do that you can tell the world, "See, this is who I am. This is how God made me. This is how I give. This is me."

May not one of us ever feel unacceptable. All of us have amazing things to give.

All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded.
​Exodus 35:10 NIV