Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8 NIV

My six year old daughter asked me a question after school yesterday in the car. She said “Mom my teacher told me today that God gives each of us a unique gift, and it is up to us to find it and use it.”

I could hear the worry in her voice and said, “Mom, what is my gift?” I told her I thought she had many great gifts and she quickly corrected me. “Mom, God only gives us one BIG gift that we have to share with the world, what is your gift?”

I reflected for a moment – did I really know what my gift was and whether or not I was using it to serve God? Life moves so quickly and we so often get clouded with our own dreams for ourselves rather than reflecting upon what God has given us – our unique gift that we need to open up to the world.

The clouds moved out of my head and quiet clarity suddenly came over me. The words love, faith and forgiveness quickly crashed into my heart and reminded me of their importance in all that we do.

I will always remember the moment my six year old gave me my perspective back, to move the clutter out of my life to embrace my gift(s) from God.

SHC Stakeholder

Joe and I served as the keynote speakers at the recent SHRM meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, a meeting made up of Human Resource leaders across the state. I will admit we were nervous, confronted with a topic normally anathema to such a group: policy and procedure conflicting with the enigmatic blanket of God in the Workplace. It wasn’t that they wouldn’t be gracious or offer a cursory listen – there was, after all, a $1,500 drawing at the end of the meeting for one lucky recipient, so they sort of had to suffer through. And it’s always hard to give the concluding speech to a sea of kind fatigue.

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A reflection on Psalm 35 and Matthew 6:  ”Cry Out and Do Not Worry.”