In another lovely reminder of the passing of time, I went to my doctor’s office last week for my annual checkup. As I sat in the waiting room, I scanned a newspaper article about young, successful business men and women. Each was asked to give a piece of advice that he or she had found helpful. The following saying caused me to put down the paper and meditate on its words.
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.” Erma Bombeck
How ironic that on that very day I had used another quote from Bombeck in my blog post. As I considered her words, I questioned how I was doing with the talent that God has given me. Am I daily seeking to use it (or them) in the way God would intend?
Each season of life offers a different challenge and, I believe, a unique opportunity to make use of our gifts. Am I to be encouraging someone else through a thoughtful note, serving in a particular ministry at church, doing outreach in the community? Especially as a wife and mother, am I using the abilities I have been given to build a home that would be pleasing to God?
Whatever my talents, I pray that I will use each of them in a way that would be pleasing to God and accomplish the work that He has set for me to do. Today may I unwrap the talent with which I’ve been blessed and use it for His glory.
Visit Tuesdays Unwrapped hosted by Chatting at the Sky.
Great post and reminder, Tracey!! I've been thinking similar thoughts lately….how do I want to impact my family and the world now to make a difference for Christ after I'm gone…a humbling challenge to work for each day!
Blessings to you!
Katie
I absolutely love this. Using my talents. It is always good to stop and do a little assessment of my progress. Finding myself getting too caught up in the to-do's of life, going through the checklist you know? Thanks so much for this. Made my morning.
That is a great (and thought provoking) quote. I prayed a similiar prayer the other night asking God to show me and direct me where I can be of more service for Him.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I know I can be using my talents more to serve. Needed this.
Have a great day!
Love that quote! A challenge for each day.
Great quote. Thanks for sharing and nice to meet you.
I know that quote. At 48, I feel a lot of pressure to make every minute count. When I was in my 20's and even 30's, it seemed like life stretched out in front of me with an exciting abundance. There was plenty of time — to love, to grow, to explore, to experiment, to play.
I no longer feel that way. Now I sense the limited frame of time that is my earthly life every day. I have to trust God to help me use it wisely.
I love your post!!! As a SAHM I often feel a need to defend myself, but the quote really put everything into perspective. I might not be using my college degree in the world, where I intended to use it, but I am still using my writing talents every day on top of being a mother and a wife.
I struggle with this All The Time. I used to know what my talents were–my intelligence, so I went to school forever, pursued a career; my voice, so I was always in choir. Now I don't know what my talents are or how to use them! I strongly believe God led me to be a mom but I continually only see my failings in that arena, and I struggle so much with parenting, I'm not feeling very talented. So thanks for the reminder, I really need to be praying about this!
Eos Mom –
I am right there with you! I often struggle with recognizing my own talents as well as determining how best to use them both within and outside the home.
Parenting is one of the areas in which our faults seem to be so glaring and our successes so few. I am confident that you are a much better mom than you give yourself credit for!