Gifted

When I think of the word gifted, I usually think of an extremely smart person. In school, kids were tested and if they scored high enough, they were labeled “gifted”. They went to a special class and everyone knew they were the really smart kids!! (Now I was friends with probably all the kids who were gifted in my class and they were all pretty nice people!) But I wasn’t in that group. Now, I made good grades…mostly A’s and a few B’s so I was probably considered “smart”…but I didn’t score high enough on the “gifted” test to be in the gifted class. So, I thought I wasn’t gifted and honestly it really wasn’t a big deal to me. But the problem is, that belief was incorrect!

Not to be cliche’, but everyone is “gifted” in some way or another. No really! I didn’t discover until much later in life what that was for me and I’m still learning! God truly did give everyone unique gifts and personalities. Usually when we use those “gifts” we are the happiest and the most fulfilled. Knowing what our giftings are along with our personality type helps us understand ourselves and others better. To me, it seems to help in understanding my own strengths and weaknesses as well as those of others. Usually I find if there is someone I don’t understand or can’t relate to, it is probably because they have different giftings than I do. And that’s okay! There are things I can do well that they cannot!

My daughter and husband both have a lot of leadership and administrative gifts. They lead, give directions, make decisions, and get things done! Sounds good, right? I would rather not have to be the one in charge and make all the decisions! And all is well until all the leading and decisiveness comes across as bossiness! Now before you think I’m picking on Murry and Katie, let me explain.   They are using the gifts they have and my gifts and Robbie’s gifts are really different! Robbie and I are good listeners and are really empathetic. We really care about others feelings and taking care of others and serving others. Sounds good, right? All is well until we get our feelings hurt because we are more sensitive! 

Here’s the thing. Once we understand how God made us, our strengths AND weaknesses, we can then understand ourselves and others better. I’m not saying you’ll like “the weaknesses”. But I think all of the “gifting” knowledge helps you get along with others more. Our world needs a lot more of this, for sure. Another thought to add here is we also must connect daily with God so we are guided by his will, otherwise our giftings and our lives will be self-centered and self-serving.

Our church provides a class to teach you about your spiritual gifts as well as your personality type. You take both a giftings test and a personality test. It is pretty cool what you discover! (I’ve always loved personality tests….my husband is now rolling his eyes.) You can find these types of tests online and many are free. 

On the DISC test, I’m an SC which stands for steady, compliant and introvert. On a spiritual gifts test my gifts are encouragement (exhortation), mercy, and service. On the Myers-Briggs personality test I’m an ISFJ (Introvert, Sensing, Feeling, Judging).  As I’ve learned about all of this over a period of time, I realized why I find purpose in being a mom, homeschooling, writing these blogs, why I became a Speech Language Pathologist, and even why God trusted me enough to give me a child with autism!

God is the giver of all the gifts we have and we need to remember that! With that being said, it is important to remember to use our gifts for Him.

You are gifted! If you don’t know what your gifts are, find out, then use them. Encourage others to do the same. Allow that knowledge to help you understand yourself and others better.

Romans 12:6-8

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Your friend,

Tiffany