While some may admire bronze strength and a take-charge attitude – which are needed in their appropriate time and place – I have a friend who speaks softly. My dear friend is lovely and elegant, a portrait of true Southern hospitality. She is diligent and capable, willingly and graciously lending her strengths to me when I am in need. She is strong in areas where I lack. Her kind generosity overwhelms me.
I thought of her this morning as I sought the Lord in prayer. Laying her kind acts before His feet in worship, I thanked Him for her. It would have been all too easy to depend on her as my resource, looking to her for strength and guidance, but that place of honor within my soul rightly belongs to only One – the Giver of all Gifts, Jehovah Jireh, who provides all that I need.
In His great love and kindness to me today, He reminded me of this. It is He who placed every good thing I see and enjoy in my friend – and it is He who brought our lives together for this stretch of life’s journey. It is He who deserves praise – so I will praise Him, I will thank Him for the gift of my friend, and for the giftings He has entrusted to her. I will enjoy her company and will be grateful she lends her strengths to me. I will resist the temptation to idolize my friend or her talents and instead will thank God for her, enjoying the beauty He displays through her while worshipping the greatness of who He is and His kindness to me.
Do you have a hero, someone who seems to know what you need, just when you need it; one who willingly meets that need and enhances your life in marvelous ways? Have you ever felt small standing next to that special person? It is hard to admit, a bit embarrassing and possibly shameful, yet honestly, I have all too often felt such smallness. When our weaknesses are seemingly magnified and another’s strength is glorified – let us not lose focus on what is true. There is only one true Giver of Gifts.
May our smallness be realized only before Him, God the Creator of all we know and enjoy. And let us admire Him, the Giver of Gifts, while enjoying those through whom they come.
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides,so that in all things God may be praised . . .1 Peter 4:10-11 niv
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