Owning Our Gifts

One of the greatest blessings I've been given this year is the chance to be my mother's Companion in her year as a Candidate Associate. I feel so lucky to be able to share this journey with her as we make our way through the Spiritual Integration Units, and of course it is an added bonus that I get to revisit the material and see how much has (or hasn't!) changed since my year of discernment.

One thing that stood out for mom and I this week is the notion of acknowledging and really "owning" the unique gifts that God has given each of us. While it sounds like a simple idea, I think for many of us it is a very difficult concept to embrace. Sure, it is easy to recognize the external gifts we are given--a roof over our heads, money in our pockets, medical technology, our families and friends. But what of those things which are internal gifts, or parts of our nature that our Provident God has given us so that we may better participate in the unfolding of God's mystery? Mom and I found this week that, at least for us, it is easier said than done to boldly identify some part of ourselves as "gifted."

Perhaps owning our gifts is uncomfortable because we have been raised to believe that humbleness is a virture. What happens, though, if our attempts at humbleness put us at risk of missing out on part of God's plan for us? Of course I am not suggesting that we become braggarts--to become so would be to behave as though our gifts are superior to those of others rather than just different. We are all gifted in some wonderful way, are we not? What I AM suggesting is that by acknowledging and thanking God for our own unique giftedness perhaps we can participate more fully in our dance through life with Providence.

When you give a gift to a close friend, chances are you really appreciate a "thank you" and perhaps even the chance to see that gift put to good use. Why should God be any different? How rude of us to sweep our own giftedness under the rug!

Think about your own life for a moment, and notice if you have difficulty when it comes to listing your gifts. If so, I extend to you the same challenge that mom and I have taken on this week: find your gifts and thank God for them, then ask yourself how they can be used to create works of love, mercy, and justice! Maybe you are a good cook--why not use that gift by creating meals for a food pantry? An excellent listener? Perhaps you would enjoy volunteering for a crisis line. If you really draw a blank, ask a friend or loved one for help. It is likely that those closest to you see your gifts very clearly, and they are likely to understand that you are not fishing for compliments when you ask for help.

Enjoy discovering your unique gifts, and if you are so inclined please share your experience with us here in the comments!