AUTHOR: Monica Lee TITLE: Do you believe in your talents? DATE: 10:51 AM ----- BODY:

I was reading an article my parents sent me and it said, “Growth comes from building on talents, gifts and strengths-not by solving problems. One of the most neglected areas in many people’s lives is the area of gifts that God has placed within them.” The article goes on to say that if you aren’t using your talents (and a lot of people devote their entire lives to fields of endeavors that have nothing to do with their inborn talents) that your gifts are still there waiting for you to use them fully. I began to think that maybe the problem with not using your God given talents and gifts but in actually believing that you have them placed in you. Being convinced that your talent is talent. Being convinced your talent is worth the investment of your time. Romans 11:29 says “For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” To take this as “a truth to live by” you have to see yourself worthy of a talent in the first place. Believe what God believes about you, His creation. I seem to be stalling here and I know I must get it into my brain and heart. I have to believe that I am worthy of originality, creativity and success. I told my mother, when she was wondering if she squandered her talents (seems to be a universal problem) that she did not waste her gifts by raising my sister and me full time. She saw the value in it at the time and I told her see still needs to understand the value in it. I explained that all the things in my art and life completely revolved around the beauty and comforts of home that she exposed me to. She took pride in needlework, sewing, good homemade foods, decorating, she is a voracious reader and would plan day trips to big city libraries. What fun we had! The truth is everyone has talents. Hers was to expose her children to the sweetness in life. Hopefully it reflects in my life and art now. I think she believes her job is done. But I doubt it is. Tomorrow is her birthday so this affirmation was timely for her. Wouldn’t it be nice if God (or someone we trusted to speak for Him, ha!) came right out and spelled out exactly what your talents were and how you should use them? You know, I bet my mom would know, maybe I will call her.

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