Do Others Have a Gift You Wish You Had?
I didn’t get the creative genes gift in my family, at least not when it comes to decorating, crafting, sewing, etc. My mom and my sister Shawna probably possess the creative prowess in these areas of a hundred people. Not me. Nope. Give me something to write, teach or stick me in front of a crowd of people to speak any day! But put me in a room of kids to pull off a birthday party, and I’m toast. That is utter torture to me.
Thank goodness my kids have their aunt and grandma! Without them my kids’ birthdays would consist of some really sad decorations (or none at all), maybe a really ugly but yummy cake (I can cook even if it doesn’t look pretty), maybe a few family members over to our house (or better yet a restaurant, that way I don’t have to clean up after everyone), and probably some pretty cool presents (I AM really good at shopping 🙂 ). I guess I’m somewhat of a minimalist. I typically like to keep things simple—probably more because I’m not very good at the creative stuff. It’s not one of my gifts or talents. I am so very thankful that God made us so that our gifts complement one another.
I’ve learned that that keeping things simple is not all bad. I’ve also learned that my kids can have the really cool birthday parties, and it’s STILL simple. It’s simple because I’ve learned the art of delegation. I simply delegate those tasks that I’m not good at or that seem torturous to me to others who actually enjoy doing them and are quite good at them to boot. In other words, it’s their gift to do those tasks that I despise.
Take this past weekend for example. It was my daughter’s 8th birthday. We went to a local movie theater to have her party and watch the movie “Home” (which was quite good by the way). Thanks to my AWESOME sister, I was able to just show up with the cake, presents and birthday girl. My sister handled the rest. It was pretty amazing. She had the party room decorated in just a matter of time with some of the cutest customized movie-themed decorations that you just can’t buy at Walmart or a party store. The ideas that she had and the party décor she created were incredible. This isn’t the first time she’s done it either. In the past couple of years we’ve had a Duck Dynasty party, a Pet Shop party, a Nerf Wars party, and a Farm party, all that she’s designed and planned for my kids. I’m telling you that girl is a graphic-arts genius (inherited from my mom who is also a graphic arts genius)! It’s one gift of her many gifts that God has graced her with. She’s very humble about it and will tell you she’s not a genius, but she most absolutely is.
I think that’s the thing about our gifts and talents…sometimes we don’t realize that we truly have a gift in one or more areas because it may seem to come so naturally to us. We think, “Ah, that’s easy. Anyone can do that.” I honestly didn’t realize that I was good at teaching until several people pointed it out time after time. I mistakenly thought, “Anybody can explain things in a way others can understand them. It’s not that hard.” I also thought public speaking was fairly easy and that it should be that easy for everyone. That is until I taught college classes where several times almost half the class would opt to take a zero grade on a class presentation simply because they didn’t want to get up and speak in front of people! I’m thinking, “What’s the big deal? It’s so easy!” However, for many it’s not. It’s a gift that God has given me, and that’s why it is easier for me. Just like designing parties, decorations, invitations, game ideas, etc. is easy for my sister but is such a chore and dreaded task for me.
Movie-themed birthday party
Take Some Practical Steps to Learn More About Your Gift:
- Realize that you have a gift–GOD HAS GIVEN EACH ONE OF US A GIFT.
“As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].” 1 Peter 4:10 (AMP)
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)
“…Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.” 1 Corinthians 7:7 (NLT)
“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)
- If you are not sure what your gifts and talents are think about those things that seem to just come so naturally for you. What are those things that you are constantly being complimented on by others? What are those things that you might not consider a gift because it seems so easy to you? What are those things that you do that you think “anyone can do this”?
- Realize that your gifts work in conjunction with and complement the gifts of others. God has given each of us a different gift or gifts and we are to use them in conjunction with the gifts that God has given others. These are comparable to parts of a body and each work together. One doesn’t try to do the job of another, and ALL are necessary and important. We are the body of Christ and just as a body as many parts, so does the body of Christ—every part is vital and necessary and the parts are placed exactly where God wants them. As individuals, we do not have ALL gifts. Don’t waste your time and frustrate yourself in trying to operate in a gift that isn’t yours.
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Romans 12:4-8 (NLT)
“Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:14-27 (NLT)
- Don’t wish for a gift that others have—Realize the value and importance of your own gift or gifts. As stated in the previous bullet, each gift is vital, and God has a special purpose for you and your gift. Don’t minimize your gift, even if others don’t seem to appreciate it. I recently had a similar discussion with a good friend of mine that teaches college classes with me. We teach a success/life skills class which can sometimes be looked down upon by other instructors who deem it insignificant compared to their material. When asked, “What do you teach?” and we reply with “Academic Strategies” it’s often followed by a condescending “Oh, I see.” It sucks to feel devalued and belittled. When discussing this with my friend, we shared how the material that we teach is vital skills for not only college, but life. We know that we are making a difference in students’ lives and actually helping them with some practical skills. Sometimes others just don’t see it. I told her that sometimes the most important stuff is the most hidden, out of sight or protected stuff…like vital organs. I told her that’s what she was…a vital organ!
“In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.” 1 Corinthians 12:22-24 (NLT)
- Use each other’s gifts. Learn to humble yourself and realize the areas where you are simply not gifted, and ask for help or delegate. Don’t let your pride get in the way of using another’s gift. Don’t let the people in your life miss out on the opportunity to be blessed by the gifts of others.
Do others have a gift you wish you had? What are some gifts that you have that you never really considered a gift? Leave a comment below (click on the post link to join the conversation if you’re viewing through e-mail) or take the conversation to your favorite social media channel (sharing links below).
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are rude, disrespectful, offensive, or off-topic. By posting on this site you agree to my Comment Policy.
P.S. If you liked this post, you might enjoy receiving new posts delivered right to your inbox each week! Sign up here.
If you have benefited from this post or if you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward and share this post with them via the sharing links below! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
