Reading is my thing. If I ever get some down time, you will find me somewhere quiet with a book. Biographies, historical fiction and thrillers are my thing. I am secretly in love with Jason Bourne… just saying… Any way, why am I talking about books… I came across this phrase in a book I read, and wrote it down as it struck at my very core, and I paraphrase, ‘ When your gifting is normal it is hard to see.’
Gifts and talents are something we may not all talk about or even be aware of. It takes a bit of confidence to be able to say – these are my gifts and talents. Some people proudly wear them on their sleeve like a musician, athlete or actor where their gifts and talents are obvious to those around them. Others are great at hiding them, we know them to be the quiet achievers. The ones in our team that produce amazing work, without us even expecting it, the ones who slip under the radar at times.
I used to fall into the fence sitting category of achievers. I neither like to fail, nor like the accolades – I work hard and produce great work – I just don’t want it to be made a big deal. In my current role, I work alongside a coordinator who is the most positive and generous leader I have ever worked for. I always seem to be getting emails to say thank you and well done. If something doesn’t go right, their is never a finger pointed – but rather a ‘what can we learn from this’ conversation. Where all parties are included and no one is singled out. This type of leadership in my life, has encouraged me to get off the fence and start owning my achievements. My response to thank you’s and well done used to be, a shy smile with a ‘ its my job’ response. I would let the compliment would bounce off me.
After reading about when our gifting is normal and we often can’t see it – it started to make sense. What I think is me doing my job, is some one else looking at my work and thinking you’re doing a great job.. When I sent my friends this blog to check out and give feedback on, before it launched, one friend replied with ‘ you’re such a wordsmith can’t wait to read it’. I actually let that compliment seep in, rather than bounce off. Maybe I am gifted in areas, I haven’t become aware of, maybe what I think is me doing my work, is not normal for others.
One thing, that we need to be aware of when exploring our gifts and talents, is comparison. I am raising a guilty hand for this point. I often say to my husband – your such a better parent than me. What he always points out to me, is that we have different strengths that work together to form the ‘ leadership team’ of our family. No two people are the same, and no two people have the exact same skill set, gifts or abilities.
In your world, how do your gifts and talents work to make your family what it is?
Do you need to be more aware of your strengths and the impact that they have on those around you?
Have you got gifts and talents you need to take hold of and be bold with? So the world starts to see how amazing you are.
NOTE: the book referenced in this post is Soar, by Bishop T. D. Jakes.
Homes of Victory 