Calico Country Ponderings

~The Gift of Giving~

When the word "gift" is mentioned, most people think of something purchased for a loved one to celebrate some sort of event. For example, we may buy a gift or two to celebrate our children's birthday or buy a gift to show our appreciation for our pastor's service. Although these gifts are all well and good, that's not the kind of gift I want to talk about with you today. Instead, I would like for us to look into the spiritual gifts talked about in Scripture that God has gifted every one of us with.

Several years ago, I started praying to God to show me what my spiritual gift was. You see, one morning while reading through the Bible, I came across several places in the Bible that talked about spiritual gifts, and I felt that 'small, still voice' within me. You know what I'm talking about. *smile* I was convicted to start studying more on these spiritual gifts and what they had to do with me. I had a lot to learn and I studied on the different spiritual gifts for quite some time.

The Scriptures list several different spiritual gifts. There are what is termed as the "speaking gifts": prophecy, teaching, encouragement, the word of wisdom, and the word of knowledge. There's also "serving gifts": helps, mercy, faith, discernment of spirits, leadership, managing and giving. Wow! We sure could use a whole lot of those in the world today, yes? *smile*

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. (Romans 12:4-6)

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, hold, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Roman 12:1)

Here Paul talks about our bodies as a "living sacrifice". What he means is that we should use our bodies to serve and obey God. We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20)...the representatives of Him here on earth. Once we accepted Him into our lives, He came and now dwells within us (1 Peter 2:5). We are set apart for the Lord's use...to encourage one another in our faith and to reach a lost world. We are Christ's body here on earth! Those we minister to, Christ ministers to; those we forgive, Christ forgives.

"....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Phil 2:12,13)

But...how do we go about that? If you take a look at this world around you, you can easily become overwhelmed with all that needs done. Where do you start? Well...God already has taken care of that...and that's where the spiritual gifts come into play.

Yes, I most definitely was convicted...but what was *my* spiritual gift? How does one find out what their spiritual gift is? You pray. Pray that God will open your eyes to the area of work that *He* gifted you in. That is precisely what God did...in a way only God can. *smile*

Almost 3 years ago I was having some major health issues. It was a whole new experience for me because, other than when I gave birth to our children, I never went to a doctor. There was really no need to. However, things changed rather drastically. I was faced with some big decisions to make concerning my health and the treatment for my disease. I was broken, to say the least. I was feeling very overwhelmed and scared. It was then that a group of my friends got together and made me a comfort quilt. Each lady made up a block for the quilt and then wrote a meaningful Bible verse on the block with a special kind of pen. I was completely overwhelmed when they presented it to me. Tears welled up in my eyes as I read the different verses. What a precious gift of love they presented to me. As I started taking the treatment for my disease, it would make me very tired at first...and I would lay down with that quilt on top of me and re-read those verses.

"He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." (1 John 2:6)

"But do no forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifice God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:16)

Shortly thereafter, it all came together for me. I was still praying about my spiritual gift and remember having such a deep desire to *comfort* those that were hurting and going through trials. I remember sitting in church on Sunday mornings and just aching during the prayer for those on our prayer list...wanting to *comfort* them in some tangible way. And then, it came to me....I needed to comfort them just as I had been comforted! That was when I knew, without a doubt, that I was to comfort others with my quiltmaking. *smile* I had been making quilts for many years by that time, but it wasn't until my own health failed that I truly knew what a huge impact that simple act made.

I now made quilts for those that are going through trials and hard times and I can't tell you how *rewarding* it is. I get so much comfort in making the quilts. Just this week I finished a quilt for a friend who's father died. He had taken care of his father for over 20 years and moved across the U.S just to do so. He's feeling rather empty right now and is in need of *comfort*. It takes me a bit of time since I am a hand-quilter, and yet I see so many people out there in need of comfort. So, I have been praying to God that He will provide me the means to make them quicker....and I have no doubt that, if it's His will, He will provide . *smile*

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all....." (Galatians 6:10)

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love." (1 Cor. 16:13,14)

Ladies, I encourage you to *use* the gifts you were gifted with by our Heavenly Father.  There's a hurting world out there that is in such dire need of God's love.  Let us work together, as one body, to  show them that love.

**This writing, along with many other wonderful writings, can be found in the winter issue of "The Simple Home Almanac".  It's a wonderful quarterly that is just bursting full of encouragement for the Christian woman.

May you and your family have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Untitled Comment

09:45, Wednesday, December 20, 2006 .. Posted by HandsNHearts

Wonderful sharing! Thank you so much.

And I love the photos of the cabin and the big red barn. Very homestead-looking and comfortable! Is that your home?

Deanna

Untitled Comment

11:11, Monday, January 28, 2008 .. Posted by rildapeel1

Blessings dear! May God's riches and best be yours in 2008. Lovingly, rilda *U*