Have you ever taken one of the those Personality tests at work, where they identify your work styles? Or maybe a test that would help you to figure out what your spiritual gifts are? There are several on- line, and a multitude of books on the topic. I have. The results were about what I expected. A few surprises of course. The real rub for me comes in when I look at how I am using those gifts, or not using them as it may be. Some times, I find that even though a need (at school, at my church, in a small group) falls into my area of gifting, I don't step up. On the flip side, sometimes I step up, and step up, and step up, until I am over scheduled and stressed out. Sound familiar? I think the key is, to look at opportunities to volunteer, in your community, or in a ministry, and really hone in on the ones that are congruent with your gifts. Look at where you could have the most impact. If you are doing work that is congruent with your gifting, it shouldn't feel stressful, it should feel good I think. If you are taking on things outside of your gifting, then you'll feel stretched, stressed, and overwhelmed. On top of that, by taking on that role, you are denying someone who does have a gifting in that area, the opportunity to step up and contribute. As the school year wraps up, I am sure, like me, you are faced with planning for Fall already. I would encourage you to take a spiritual gifts test. Really think and pray about things before you step up and volunteer. But do step up. Use your gifts. I believe that spiritual gifts are a use it or lose it proposition. We have them for a purpose, and they are given with an expectation that we will use them for good. In the words of a friend of mine, who is entrenched in projects right now, "Even if someone would volunteer to set up the coffee and donuts for me, that would be HUGE!!". Sounds like a little thing, but each little thing adds up to accomplish a big thing.
I am swirling in chaos! Our little remodeling projects, ie: painting the boys rooms, have resulted in a whirl of mess, mess, mess. My husband has been diligently painting walls, repurposing furniture, meanwhile all of the clothing, shoes, toys, junk, furniture we are no longer using, etc... is lining the hallways and rooms of my house! We have tried to engage the boys in this project, but it has somehow eluded them that they have any responsibility for putting the house back together, so it it a painful exercise of command and whine. Today, we must put it back, we cannot start the week in madness. So my day, is going to be interesting. They need to help, a lot. I need to figure out how to motivate them to help, without them feeling like they are being tortured. Wish me luck, at 10:30, video games, and NFL TV go off, and cleaning commences. I'd better have another cup of coffee, and pray for the next half hour, I'm gonna need it.
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