DISCOVERING OUR CHILDREN'S GIFTS

Proverbs 18:16 KJV
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Dearest Sisters,

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!

HAPPY TODAY!!!!!

HAPPY YOU!!!!

God is our good, good father! God uniquely created and designed each of us. There is no one in the world just like us. We all are totally, cool, unique bundles of awe and wonder.

Inside of us all God placed special characteristics and gifts. Our gifts shape our personalities and development. Our gifts set us apart from others and also unify us with complementary folks. Use your gift! I hope you are using it daily! LIVE BRIGHT, BE BOLD, AND SPARKLE. 

Often times, parents do not take the time to discover their children's gifts or even cultivate and encourage them if they are easily discernible. Many times the very things that children are punished or reprimanded for are manifestations of their gifts. Gifts can can be used for good or bad but the gift is simply that, a gift. I hope that we all seek God as we embark upon the journey of discovering and developing our children's gifts.

Remember, the very things that kids are often punished for are manifestations of their gifts. Those pesky childhood peculiarities will often lead individuals to their "callings" as adults. Unfortunately, those peculiarities are rarely ever seen as "gifts" until adulthood when a person has the opportunity to nourish and cherish it themselves. 

I recall one child that was talkative and sarcastic in childhood and later went on to a very successful career in law enforcement and public speaking. After enduring a childhood full of admonition that girls should be quiet and polite, her chatter and wit helped her to excel. There is another story of a kid that hoarded the family newspapers and locked himself up for hours at a time to study the paper. He was scorned and ridiculed as a odd ball kid but went on to become a senior editor for the New York Times. And there was yet another kid that was diagnosed with ADHD. This child suffered in the public schools. His only pleasurable outlet was tinkering around with video cameras and older electronics that he would dismantle and reassemble. No one thought this kid would amount to anything. He later went on to become a sports broadcaster and a movie producer.

Sisters, it's so important that we study our kiddos and discover their passions. It's helpful to pray and ask God for discernment and wisdom as we seek discovery and as we seek to invest in their primary gifts and strengths. Our kiddos will often have several gifts but perhaps one or two are stronger gifts that will undergird their "callings" as adults. We need God's intervention, grace, and mercy as we commit to cultivating the stronger gifts and celebrating the secondary gifts (sometimes in the form of hobbies).

Ruth was one such handmaid that was blessed with the gifts of compassion, hospitality, service, grace, and mercy. In God's amazing sovereignty, Ruth went from a lowly, pagan woman to an incredible heroine of faith. Her story is quite remarkable. By utilizing her gifts (God has blessed ALL people with them as gifts reflect God and should point everyone back to Him), Ruth left her country, culture, and family and followed her mother-in-law to grace, salvation, and a wonderful future beyond her imagination. 

Boaz noticed Ruth's gifts. Consider the following verses: 

Ruth 2:11-12 KJV
11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

Sisters, God intentionally gave our kiddos specific gifts. He wants to bless our kids through their gifts just as He did for Ruth. Let's partner with God to develop our children's gifts and perfect their strengths. Our kiddos' gifts will be very essential in their certain, established futures. Bear Proverbs 18:16 in mind as you raise, educate, and disciple your children. Have fun!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love and blessings

Hugs