Rain is coming down in sheets outside the living room window. Inside, Dinah and I sit in companionable silence on the couch. I'm working on my nephew's birthday crown, a simple felt gesture of love and celebration.
I look past the sewing basket sitting between us to my oldest girl. Her kitten pink tongue is just visible poking through her lips and she frowns slightly, cutting a snowy white cloud out of felt. I think about myself at her age, the hours I spent up in my room, bent over some scrap of fabric in intense concentration. It's like looking into the past, watching her here.
She looks up. "Mom? I really like doing this stuff. I'm not really into videogames or sports like Ben or anything, but I do like this."
I smile back at her. "Well, God knew what He was doing when He gave us all unique gifts and talents. That way we can each bless the world in our own way."
She's turned back to her work and I assume that's it, that we're each back to our quiet thoughts, just here together. A moment later, she starts up again.
"It's like you, and your knitting and sewing and all the things you do. God knew you needed to be good at sewing so you could make birthday crowns to make kids feel special. And He knew to make you like to bake so you could make us cakes and cookies just because and make everyone happy."
I set down my work for just a minute and think about her words, wisdom pouring right out of a 7 year old. It's a revelation, and if I think back over the years and I can see it - how I was being prepared for this life. Although I don't always get it right and often want a break from it all, I do love it. I love making kids feel special and baking just because. I love reading books to little people and coloring pictures and singing songs. I love dress up and make believe and I love cradling babies and spreading love to the people I meet. It hits me like a ton of bricks - these things that I often just see as hobbies or preferences - they are a part of my arsenal of love.
All too often, we Mothers can discount our talents and gifts. If you are like me, at home day in and day out, it can seem that none of those things matter very much any more, in the light of dishes and laundry and daily life. Perhaps it seems frivolous to spend time learning how to cook so we can offer our families nutritional yet delicious fare every night, but truly it is a beautiful thing. Maybe the gift of dancing that I spent so many years cultivating before walking away when I had my babies seems like a massive waste, but when I spin around the living room with a little one in my arms, I know I am right where I am meant to be. The voice lessons I took in high school happened long ago, but my girls beg me at bedtime, "Sing the Rapunzel song!" and I do.
These things, none of them, are a waste. We can take the gifts and yes, even the things that seem a bit silly, and turn them into blessings for the world around us. We can turn our interests and affinities into radical acts of love for those around us.
I put the finishing touches on a crown for my nephew's head, fast becoming a family tradition that celebrates the blessing of Life that God has given each one of us. It's just a small token, a bit of felt, really, but perhaps someday he will know what it was really all about. I know his Mother will see it.
My daughter, in few words, affirms my calling and shows me that it was by design. Her words breathe fresh perspective into my day and I can see clearly again - God's unique plan for me. When we take these gifts, talents and interests and use them to bless others, it's His love that pours right through us.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8
Q: What are your talents? How can you use them today to bless your family and the world around you?
{It's Mindful Mothering Mondays, a day to take a deep breath and write out your mothering journey, whatever form it takes. A day to link up for encouragement from others who are in this same phase of life. A day of writing out the trials and triumphs and what you're learning right where you are, right now.
You might post recent struggles or thoughts. Maybe just a picture or a quote. Or maybe you'll just come here and read the links that others post. Whatever form your participation takes, this is a day for you.
We are all in this, together. Together, we can encourage and build one another up, be honest with our shortcomings and strengthened by community to keep fighting the good fight.
I chose Mondays because what Mama doesn't need a little encouragement on a Monday? As such, I'll have the link up ready to go on Sunday night for you to begin submitting your links.
I hope you'll meet with me each Monday! Here's what to do ~
Link up your post below. Remember to put the link to the exact post you want to link, and not just your blog url. Include in your post a link back here so others who want to join in can find us! And visit some other Mamas who have linked up.
Post the community graphic within your post, so people who are reading your Mindful Mothering post can come back here and find the rest of us!
Invite the writers of your favorite blogs to join in!
Share this meme with others on facebook and twitter. This community is for all moms, and the more that participate, the more we will be able to enjoy!!}
Grab the graphic here:
You're so right! We take for granted that a lot of the little things we do, as moms, are talents and gifts we have at our core. Things that may never make it on a resume, but are infinitely valuable in their own ways! Happy Monday to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for once again writing just what I needed to read!! God bless you :)
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