I wasn’t planning on sharing this with y'all but it was a very powerful lesson to me and I think it might be helpful to someone else out there! Before I share my experience, there is something you need to know about me. I can be EXTREMELY competitive! From sports to academics to board games (yes, I have thrown cards and game pieces at my husband with tears streaming down my face way too many times…), I have this burning desire to be the best at everything I do. With that being said, I put a lot of pressure on myself and get stressed out. Like, A LOT. In fact, every once in a while I have these quite dramatic emotional break downs, moments when I “forget who I am”. During these times I don’t feel like I have any useful talents or abilities and I panic about the future. In the midst of these break downs, it feels like everyone has “a thing” that they are known for. Everyone except for me.
This past week, I had an experience that has helped me to put my competitive side in check and changed my attitude about talents. As I sat doing my homework, I got a text from a friend. Somewhere in the conversation we began talking about rock climbing. Because Brandon and I spent a good amount of time rock climbing when we lived in the Bay Area, I could totally relate to my friend. As we talked, an unexpected and seemingly random thought entered my mind. Here it is:
“You don't have to be the best”.
Now, to clarify, this thought did not say, “You don’t have to try your best”. It simply said, “You don't have to be the best”. People have told me this before, but this time I think it finally struck the right chord! I had this realization that it is totally okay if I am not the best athlete, singer, writer, or if my clothes, make-up, or hair are not “on fleek” (a phrase I only know because of the 12 and 13 year old girls I taught at church!). I don't have to be the best at any one thing. I don't have to have one amazingly outstanding talent that everyone knows about. I realized that I have participated in so many various things such as sports, music, travel, etc. that allow me to relate to many different groups of people. Then, an even cooler thought entered my mind:
“This is a gift”.
It is just as cool a gift to have several “average” talents, or “micro” talents as I now call them, as it is to have one outstanding talent. Because I have experienced several things, I have been able to make great friends with many people that I otherwise would not have met! I believe that this is a divine gift from my Heavenly Father! A gift of relating, sympathizing, and empathizing that leads to the gift of friendship. I now find my “micro” talents very encouraging. I am unique and made with a purpose, God’s purpose!
Now, I did not write this to brag in any way or to say, “look at me and all the things I am good at!” and if it came off that way, I apologize! I am sharing this with you because I truly believe that each and every one of us has a talent or talents. If you happen to be super amazing at one particular thing, I can now say that I am genuinely happy for you and I hope that you use that skill to teach, serve, and uplift others. If you are anything like me with a few (more average) talents, know that diversity is just as important as specialization and you are just as amazing!
So perhaps that seemingly random thought was not so random at all! But a way to show me that talents are ultimately a way to glorify God and to share His love and His message with others. He has given us unique attributes for a reason. So if ever you have a moment like I did (perhaps while scrolling though Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest or browsing a magazine or a “flawless” mommy blogger’s page) and begin to doubt your talents and abilities, ask yourself, “Would God really make me without any special talents?” I promise you, the answer will be NO. So then ask yourself, “What talents have I been given?” and “How can I use these abilities, strengths, or even weaknesses to share God’s love with others and serve the people around me?” I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me(:
Happy Sunday, y’all!
<3 Jade
