Use it or Lose it!

Pray for my son.  He is at church camp this week and we got a call last night that he hurt his knee.  We had to drive 90 minutes to go pick him up, another 30 to a hospital to have his knee xrayed, found out it is sprained badly, another 30 minutes back to camp (because he was not going to leave), and another 90 minuets back home.  He is on crutches and in an immobilizer brace.

Pray for my mom too.  She had her hip replaced a few years ago.  When I called Dad this morning to tell him about Timm, he told he that mom's hip, leg, and foot hurt to the point where she was having trouble walking.  She goes to the doctor at 2ish.  I'll update when I know something.

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1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
What's your special gift?  I can tell you many people's gifts, but for me it's hard to tell my own.  Is it for you?  My husband is a worker, and loves to cook for others.  My daughter is an encourager and a loyal friend.  My son?  He is great with special needs kids, and loves to make people laugh.  Me?  Well, I guess I am okay with writing and I do sing pretty well. 

One thing that is wonderful about being apart of God's family and our church family is that we are all different.  None of us have the exact same talents.  But we have to learn to work together and get along to make things work.  Sometimes each of our ideas can get in the way of others and when we disagree it causes the "well oiled machine" not to work as well.  When Mike and I were planning our wedding, my mom would come to me with ideas.  I'd look at her and say, "No, we aren't doing that."  Then I would think about it for a while and mull it over.  I would then go back to her about three days later and say, "Yeah, I think that idea would be good."  We went on like this for quite a while.  Everything turned out well, so I am grateful for her ideas.

When each of us have our own gifts to bring to the table, we have to be willing to share them.  Does it matter that there are four other cooks?  Does it matter that Julie's creativity for making costumes is better than my sewing?  No!  Jump in there and use your gift, helping where you can.  You helping out another Christian and asking for nothing in return will just using the grace that God has given us.  Besides, someday you may needs someone's gifts to help you out.

Use Your Gifts

My kids have a new saying... "Would you like a side of Epic with that Fail?"  Every time things do not go the way they think they should, no matter how big or small a deal, they say "Epic Fail".  There is even a website dedicated to this called...Epic Fail.com.  It has all sorts of pictures and videos of people trying but failing at things.  Some are funny, but some are horribly wrong and just sad.

I tell you this because I was reminded of this yesterday during the sermon at church.  Our minister gave a message on how to be a failure.    Actually it was a lesson in learning from the mistakes of others and what we can do to succeed.  What are you a success in?  I think this is a better question to ask than what have you failed at.  The answer will be a) more uplifting and b) probably not as long.  I usually hate tooting my own horn, so to speak.  I don't think I am very good at most things.  I know I am good at baking, singing, and reading, but so are a lot of people.  I am not good at many more things.  I am not looking for encouragement here.  I look at others and see what they are good at.  Many of you would deny what you are good at.  Most of us do not think of ourselves in a really positive way. 

Christianity gives each of us the opportunity to encourage others in what they are good at. 1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 6   There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.   We all have a gift.  I know in the church that mine is singing.  I know that others are playing instruments, teaching, encouraging, visiting, preaching, fixing things around the church, lending a helping hand, etc.  Your gift doesn't have to be better than anyone else's.  In fact, what you believe about how good others are at something, they believe exactly the same as you, only mirrored.  This means that if you believe Tom is better at teaching than you, Tom feels that you are better at it than him.  Don't try to deny it.  There is always someone better, but they think it is you!

So before you go get bent out of shape, the message here is to use your talents.  You might be good at just shaking hands and talking to people.  I know a lot of you can talk and shake hands.  There is an opportunity to use this talent next Sunday evening.  Our evening church service is going over to Mason Christian Village and put on the service.  Won't you come and help us.  You will be blessed and will be a blessing.  And, most of all, using your talents won't make it an Epic Failure.