The short answer? No.
The longer answer? Well, kinda, but not consistently.
I've been thinking about this "gifts" thing pretty heavily for the last few days. My pastor messed up my thinking because he preached a message about using the gifts God gives you to bless other people. And to be honest, hearing that was pretty convicting because I haven't always thought about using my gifts for other people's benefit. I mean, why would I? I've always thought if they're my gifts, aren't they for my benefit? Aren't they meant to make me rich, popular, famous, happy, better? Aren't they all for me?
Well apparently not. (Read very sarcastically, "Thanks,Pastor James. Thanks.") Apparently a part of running my race well and walking in my purpose is about helping other people. (Read even more sarcastically, "Great. Just great.")
So I had to reflect. What are my gifts and how can I use them to bless others?
Let's see: I like to talk and teach, and I like to write and put clothes together, and I like to be self-effacing and laugh at my circumstances, so I guess those are my gifts. Now that I've solved that mystery, how can I put those to use to help other people? Hmm. And that's when it hit me: "Girl, you have a whole blog that you're doing nothing with where you can put all those things together." Oh. Right. Mystery 2 solved.
So I'm back on this blog, trying to do it right so I can use my gifts to bless others. Bear with me as I pull this thing together. Apparently God is not through with me or lourdesanita.com yet.
Lourdes Anita
P.S. What are your gifts? How are you using them to bless others? Let me know. Maybe we can figure this out together.