“Eyes, eyes,” I said. *poke* *poke* “Eyes.”
“Nose, nose.” *poke* *poke* “Nose.” *poke*
“Mouth, mouth.” *poke* *poke* “Mouth.” *poke*
I would say the words as our sweet little grandson poked at my face. Hoping he would associate words with the visual images and sensation of touch, I moved his poking finger to his own eyes, nose, and mouth while again repeating the words. Being a part of his development is a rich and soul tickling delight. I am ever thankful to our Heavenly Father for sharing this joy with us.
Yet as the days seem to roll one into another, I began to notice that our little tot rarely poked at the eyes of others. For some reason he preferred mine. Not wanting to discourage his learning, I allowed a few pokes all the while attempting to draw his attention to other learning opportunities. Fortunately, up to this point I have caught his invading finger before he reached my eyeball causing injury!
Still I wondered what it was about my eyes that seemed to hold his attention since he rarely played this little game with others that held him. My eye color is the same as many others who embrace him. That must not be it. Mine do not seem to be any larger or smaller than others who hold him. Guess that’s out. But finally, today, as I prepared for the day’s tasks it occurred to me that my eyelashes are somewhat naturally long, and I enhance them with mascara. He usually points to my lashes as I close my eyes. His poking finger has never landed on my eyelid or eyebrow. It must be the lashes that so intrigue him.
Many people have long lashes. Some embrace the day in a natural state of beauty, while others are drawn to enhance what God has given them. I am not writing to promote or discourage the use of cosmetics. That is something for you to work out in your walk with Christ. (See Esther 2:12-14 where women were allowed to choose things to enhance their beauty as they approached the king).
What do you naturally possess?
Although what I do want to write about is simply this, what are you doing with what you have been given? We all come with predetermined wiring to some degree. Don’t believe me, just look at the responses of toddlers as they interact. Some are content to play in their own little corner of the world, while some seek to engage others. So what is your natural wiring, that to which you are drawn? What are the things you enjoy doing most, you know, that which you can spend hours doing without realizing the energy or time expended? For example, I am drawn to creative tasks. I enjoy writing and visual images. I can spend hours and hours at the computer developing a slide deck, a kind of electronic scrapbook if you will. Add in music and you have a home movie of still shots. Thankfully, my family graciously enjoys or endures – I’m not sure which – my “movies” at various times.
So again, what do you enjoy? Do you love to participate in sports? Or maybe you are a book worm, huh? Are you inclined to cook, shop, travel, organize, talk, troubleshoot and find solutions, …? Take a moment and consider what God has put within you. Then ask yourself, “What am I doing with this?” Do you enhance and share your skills or keep them buried away for a rainy day when you can enjoy them uninterrupted, all to yourself?
How will you steward your natural gifts?
And finally, how might you use your natural gifts to enrich others around you? God loves community. His Word is full of stories and examples of His reach to men. Will we reach to those around us? Will we use our natural abilities to demonstrate God’s likeness, His compassionate and loving character to others?
How can we share what He has naturally given to us so others will benefit? For example, when you play sports, what is your most prominent attitude? Are others encouraged to play again by how they see you conduct yourself? If you are a reader, with what is your mind being filled? How is your speech and outlook on life affected? Would those around you be drawn to inquire about what you are learning? When you cook, will you share with those who seemingly do not have time or interests yet need nourishment? What about shopping? Are you willing to pick up a few things while you are out and about to help someone who is running low on time or energy? Or to the travelers among us, what memories might you share to brighten the cloudy day someone nearby is experiencing? Will the organizer encourage the messy friend, rather than judgmentally criticize? What words will the talker release, words of discouragement or words of life? To those who troubleshoot and find solutions, are you willing to share and make life easier for everyone, or do you hoard your good fortune, leaving others to suffer needlessly?
These are just a few examples. Yet, what will each of us do with what we have been given?
Welcoming the *poke* *poke* ‘s
My naturally long lashes do not appear to be much until I enhance them with mascara. Unbrushed, their potential is hidden. I seriously doubt my grandson would have noticed or been drawn to my eyes, at least not so quickly had I not applied a touch of mascara. Perhaps it is a silly joy, but, my checks wrinkle, my eyes bunch up and my mouth curves upward into a smile as that little guy takes his finger and does the *poke* *poke* at my eyes. I am thankful he notices my lashes and finds them intriguing. It has created a small learning opportunity I can share with him.
So what will you share with those around you? Will you be too busy, too tired or merely uninterested? Or will you make an effort to allow someone’s *poke* *poke* to interrupt your moments? Will you share with them what God has naturally given to you? Will you enhance the natural abilities God has given you and then share them?
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8 niv
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
1 Timothy 6:18 NIV
Feel free to share your thoughts below, especially if you believe they would be helpful to another.
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