So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time. James 4:7 MSG
I stood up with tears stinging on the corners of the my eyes. I had just been laid off. My first husband, Bill, was waiting to get his disability income and we were barely meeting our bills each month. It had been a difficult job assignment with an unreasonable boss and many commuting hours each day. Still, I clung to it like a shipwrecked sailor gripping a piece of driftwood, fearing that if I let go we would all go down together.
The company had been sold and the day before I had had a similar conversation with each of my training team as they were all let go. No one told me I was on the list. My heart sank as I saw the Human Resources Vice President come into my office with the ‘folder.’ I was totally caught off guard
“I just want you to know that you are doing me a favor,” I exclaimed loudly. “I intend to write a book about hope.”
I don’t remember the rest of the conversation. As I packed up my books and other training materials I fumed as I heard the rest of the my ‘friends’ celebrating the new ownership of the company. The door to this difficult season had suddenly slammed shut. On the long drive home I dreaded telling Bill about the surprising turn of events.
The first one to greet me when I got home was our grandson, Dominic, who was two at the time.
“Nona!” he yelled and came running to me. I grabbed him in my arms and sat in the rocker. He must has sensed that I needed it because he sat very still (for him) and let me rock him for a long time. I was doing what only I could do. All was going to be okay in this change of season.
Every single person I know wants to make a difference in the lives of others by doing something special and unique. Within you are seeds of a dream to do what only you can do. It is the legacy that you will leave behind. Unfortunately, I had gotten so busy with my job and caregiving responsibilities that I did not make room for my gifts of writing, speaking and music. God was closing doors so He could open others.
Active Self Nurture
Define your gift
The first step in finding your gift is to define it. A great way to start is to ask yourself, “What would you do if you had unlimited resources (time, money and education)? Your mind is free to explore once you remove the self-imposed limitations that often lead you to talk yourself out of what you would love to do. You can always make time – even if it’s just a few minutes
Follow what you love to do
Your gift will be centered around the things you like to do. Have you always had an inclination and innate ability to do certain things? Often you don’t recognize your gifting because you think that everyone has the same capabilities you do and it’s easy for you. It is the unique pattern and combination of talents and attributes that makes your gift rare and precious. There may be others who do the same thing you do, yet you add a flair that distinguishes your gift from others.
Share your gift
Your gift brings you joy, especially when shared with others. There is no better feeling than to do what you were created to do. It does not seem like work because it is a pleasure. There will be those areas where you will need to grow to support that gift. In fact, you might feel most disqualified in the area where you would like to go. For example, I have always loved to sing and play worship songs. I can get lost in time as I sit down at the piano. I struggle with recording these and sharing with others. It’s my goal to move in that direction because others have told me these songs are a blessing to them.
Grow in your gift
Your gift will open doors and make room for you. Once you define your gift, look for ways to use it and improve your skills in that area. Even if it seems far-fetched right now, take steps in the right direction. This is where you can really get out of your Comfort Zone (or CZ as I like to call it). Volunteer to do something that you don’t feel quite sure about doing but have always wanted to do. You’ll figure it out and can have a lot of fun. Your gifts expand as you use them.
Prayer
Lord, I am so thankful for the gifts You have given each of us. I pray that You will grant us the courage to take a good look at them so we can expand and grow in these areas. With Your help we will step outside of our ‘comfort zone’ and take some risks. Thank You for those around us that encourage us to ‘go for our dreams.’ In Jesus’ name. Amen.
What gifts are you going to share this week? What steps will you take to make a difference in the lives of others?
For the rest of the alphabet in the ABCs of Self Nurture for Caregivers please click
here.
Karen Sebastian-Wirth has, over the years, lovingly cared for her mother-in-love, mother, father and husband. She certainly has learned the lessons of hope in what can become a treacherous ride over some rough waters. You will enjoy her candid approach to self nurture and the practical ways to take care of yourself. Her new book The Power of Hope for Caregivers: Honor the Ride will be released early in 2018.
Author, speaker, corporate trainer, ordained minister and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world. Her books will inspire you to embrace hope no matter what you are going through. To increase hope and improve relationships with yourself and those that you love check out her Facebook page – The Power of Hope.
