The Talents We’ve Been Given

As a young girl I used to daydream that I would grow up to be really good at something. Maybe it was singing, or baking, or maybe I could play soccer better than everyone in the whole world.

I’ve grown up since then, and the more I learn of the world, the more I realize someone else always bakes, sews, homeschools better than I do.

Julia knows how to decorate a house, and does so beautifully, arranging vases and books and flowers so that her home looks lovely and welcoming.

Amanda bakes wonderful desserts and cakes, with colorful centers, and beautiful designs in watercolors on the tops.

Emily has a way with words, and to read what she writes stirs the soul and makes one think, ‘That is just exactly the way I feel, and how well she says it!’

Alexis has a green thumb that seems effortless, and her flower beds and garden seem to spring up greener and more lush, as if by magic. Her indoor plants and hanging baskets are gorgeous.

Ashley is a natural mother who seems to intuitively know how to meet her children’s needs and care for them in the best way possible. Her little ones adore her, and she makes it look so easy!

Rachel is the DIY queen. She can take an old door, a scuffed dresser, or an old scrap of fabric and turn it into something creative and beautiful and 100 times better than it was before.

Katie is the fitness mama. She hikes, knows the best workout routines and jogs five miles before her kids wake up. Ask her any question about ab workouts, or diets to get in shape, and she’ll have some good answers for you.

Susan knows a lot about homeschooling. She can tell you all about the different methods and the best curriculums within those methods. You’ll often see her doing creative art or science projects with her children, and going all out to make sure they have the best learning experience.

There are many more skills, but the reality is that most of us can only boast knowledge or ability in a couple of them.

With the rise of social media, it has made it possible to see the talents of hundreds or even thousands more people than our grandparents did years ago. Hundreds of almost-strangers putting their best foot forward virtually, and showing their gifts and talents to the world.

No wonder it can be depressing to scroll through social media! After a while, I begin to feel as though my own skills don’t amount to much.

But what if instead of comparing our own lives or skills with others, we would instead remember that no one is good at everything and cheer each other on in the outstanding abilities God has given them?

God has given each of us talents to glorify Him with. If we spend our time comparing those talents to others and either boasting about or rejecting them based on how we think they measure up, we rob God of the glory He deserves for creating us the way that we are.