Daily Devotional for May 29, 2021
Discover Your Gifts
Maddie adjusted her backpack and followed her grandmother down the forest trail. Despite her silver hair, Gran still loved the woods and took each of her grandchildren on an overnight hike when they turned eight. Maddie had been eagerly awaiting her turn.
She helped Gran pitch the tent and cook lunch over the fire. “I heard you got in some trouble at school this week,” Gran said as she settled on a log beside the flames. “What happened, sweetheart?”
Maddie looked away, embarrassed. “I hit Callie Thompson when she said my painting of the Mayflower looked like a dump truck.”
“Her teasing made you angry?”
Tears filled Maddie’s eyes. “No. I got angry because I knew she was right.”
“I see.” Gran sat silent. After a moment, she exclaimed, “Maddie, look! A bluebird! See how beautifully it’s colored? It’s one of my favorite birds in the forest. And listen. Can you hear the thrush? The male can sing over fifty distinct songs.”
Maddie listened to the bird’s flutelike notes, glad Gran had changed the subject.
“I expect we’ll see many birds this weekend. Waterfowl, warblers, doves. Maybe we’ll even spot an eagle. God made each one distinctive in its own way.” Gran beckoned Maddie beside her on the log. “It’s the same way with people. Some can fix things. Others can teach or perform in plays. I happen to know that you sing well, you make friends easily, and you’re generous.”
“But I want to paint like Callie.”
“With practice, you might. Or you might not. Do you see the robin complaining to the duck that she can’t swim? Or the penguin wishing he could fly?”
Maddie smiled. “No.”
“Then don’t worry if you can’t do everything well. Instead, discover what gifts God has given you. He created each one of us with different abilities so we can reach out to others and show them the love of Jesus in our own special way.”
“I guess I wasn’t very loving toward Callie, was I?” said Maddie.
“Well, it’s not too late to change that,” said Gran.
Maddie’s eyes glinted. “I know! I could ask her to show me some painting techniques, then paint her portrait and give it to her!” She sighed. “But first I need to tell her I’m sorry.”
-Michelle Isenhoff
How about you?
What are you good at? You can’t be good at everything, but God has given each of us unique gifts and talents. Sometimes it takes time to develop them; other times they come to us easily. When we use our abilities to help each other, people can see the love of Jesus in our lives. How can you use your talents to point others to Jesus?
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