Something I've Never Told You

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace--"   ... 1 Peter 4:10


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So at age 13 I felt writing was my super power. 

No, really. Even if my history teacher assigned an essay about some boring, complicated Country, I'd think, "Hmm. At least I can make it sound like I know what I'm speaking of." (Visions of Samantha Stevens twitching her nose often came to mind.)

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Then at 15 God nudged me to encourage church friends and their parents. They'd look discouraged so later I'd hand (or mail) them cards with Bible verses or poems I'd written. 

Once, a friend asked me to write a poem about her grandfather. All she said was he used to build things in a backyard workshop so I hesitated (that's not a whole lot to go on), but then said, "Ok. I'll try." I went home and with rhymes described a 'filmstrip' in my mind. 

Weeks later my friend's mom picked up the poem in her room, read it, then said, "That's my daddy! That's how he was. How did she know?"

Lots of moving with my family followed that, then my one year in college (Debra: the college dropout), then marriage and baby Naomi. And still I wrote letters and poems to encourage folks.

But when I was 22, my pastor told me, "Don't write encouraging notes to people. Speak them out loud. It's a bolder thing for you and will help you break through your shyness."

Oh dear. Yes, I was shy, so I understood his reasoning and agreed I should be able to speak encouragement aloud. But never again write? For 3 days I felt sad and blown away. I mean, hey! He was our pastor and he knew best didn't he? And God speaks through pastors, right?

But soon (thank-goodness) the blessed balance of wisdom came. I sensed God saying, "Do both. Speak encouragement aloud and write it. Just be led by Me each time."

So I chose that--although--being young and silly, at first I felt guilty writing notes/poems again and sent them only to folks who our pastor did not know. ツ

Two lessons today--

1.) As I wrote on Monday, always satan comes along to crush God's work through us. See that for what it is and don't blame the people through which it comes.

2.) God sent each of us to Earth to bless others in specific ways. Never, ever were those ways meant to be secret/confusing. Most likely whatever we love and are good at, THAT'S the gift God sent with us down here.

(Yes, it's usually that simple--and that's why we miss it!)

And when we faithfully do that thing? We'll reach our life's end having completed God special idea, His plan, and we'll have left smiling folks behind who were grateful we did.










"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart--"   ...Jeremiah 1:5


Listen to others' advice, but always let God tweak what came across imperfectly. 



" Oh, and to clarify after Betsy's comment: back when I was shy, still, I could easily speak in front of a classroom or church service. Why? Because I was always (mysteriously, kinda) able to believe that God would speak through me. So I never relied upon myself, only Him. And that, Folks, is just one reason why people have often told me they don't understand me. heh."


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Speaking of using gifts, have you heard Fred Klett? What a hoot, especially when he shares about his family while growing up. You'll find many other of his videos there at Youtube.


Need more humor? Here was a favorite Christmas gift from Tom--





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“Those who die with their music still on their tongues unsung are trying to say “God had made a deal with the wrong customer like me”
― Israelmore Ayivor, Daily Drive 365



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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15