Several Sundays ago during Bible study, one of the men talked a bit about performing in ways that use the gifts God has given us. And I’ve thought about it ever since. It was rather liberating for me, as I tend to heap guilt on myself when I’m not out there helping with the soup kitchen, or taking meals to people every week, or heading up the kids Bible study, or leading women’s Bible study, or a myriad of other things that I don’t have time for but think perhaps I should be making time for. While I haven’t completely got past the guilt feelings I am reminding myself that some areas are things I am just not gifted in. I’m trying not to push myself to do things just because it might be ‘thing to do’, or other people might be thinking I should be doing it.
If you are a prayer warrior – do it with all your heart. If you are not a prayer warrior, don’t beat yourself up about it. If cleaning or cooking is your gift and you enjoy doing it for others give it your all. If you love working with children, find the age group that is your favorite or needs the most attention and go for it. Find your gift and bloom where you are planted. Instead of being frustrated and uptight about the things you think others might be thinking you should do, find what GOD wants you to – the ability HE has gifted you with and pour your heart into it.
It seems this subject just keeps coming back to me. It’s been touched on in different ways since that first time in Bible study and during our Sunday morning message. And then yesterday I read this post. Vanessa hit the nail on the head! And she told her story in such a delightful and convicting way. Yes, as Vanessa said, sometimes there are things that just have to be done and you have to roll up your sleeves, jump in and get the work done. But if it is something that gets you upset, uptight, resentful, nervous, etc. it just might be that you are not blooming – and need to return to where you were planted so you can bloom fully. If we are spending our energy on things that are not our ‘gifts’ we may not be fully praising the Lord or even being the best influence on those around us.
Others don’t know our circumstances, what is going on at home, what is going on inside us. So lets let go of guilt and not worry about what everyone else thinks. It’s what God thinks that matters in the end anyway! I’ll be back to read this every day most likely – I’m the queen of feeling guilty that I should be doing more.
Have a blessed Sunday, and Bloom Where You Are Planted!
angela rogers says
August 11, 2013 at 9:23 amAmen, Amen and amen. Well written. I too am the queen of guilt. Plenty going on but constantly frustrated that I’m not doing “whatever”. There is so many people out there filling so many needs, and I often feel like I “should” be doing that stuff too! I think I should come re-read this every day myself. Thanks for sharing.
Jill Flory says
August 12, 2013 at 1:57 pmMaybe we can remind each other 🙂
kelly says
August 11, 2013 at 1:37 pmI love the message in this post! I went over and read Vanessa’s too. So true. I often feel guilt about this kind of stuff. I assume people feel a certain way towards me. There seems to be too much pressure placed on us these days. We’ve got to do it all and have it all or we’re not measuring up. I know that is a battle we all deal with, but I can say that it gets easier as I get older. I know what works and doesn’t work for me. Some things I used to do, I don’t do anymore because I had a bad experience with it. Some things I want to do, I haven’t because fear of failure holds me back. Guilt!!! I like the phrase “Bloom where you’re planted”. I will try to remember that one more often.
Jill Flory says
August 12, 2013 at 1:57 pmThanks Kelly!
Regena Fickes says
August 11, 2013 at 2:29 pmThis is amazing! If I have been feeling that God wants me to concentrate on using the talents He has given me and not feeling guilty in doing what someone else thinks I should, I know why now. I have been praying about a certain event I was supposed to head up. I was asked to do this and I have a hard time saying “no”, so I said “yes” and have been chewing my nails over it. Thanks to you and Vanessa, I have decided to say “no” and stay where I know I have been planted. Sometimes, we need to hear these words from another and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I felt guilty saying no and guilty about saying yes. He knows where He wants me. Blessings.
Jill Flory says
August 12, 2013 at 1:56 pmGood for you Regena – it can be hard to say no to things but it’s so liberating when we do what we know God has called us to!
Lauraj says
August 11, 2013 at 2:58 pmAmen! My pastor has also taught on this but it is so easy to forget. I know personally I get caught up in “doing the right thing” and often put my gifts to the side. Thank you for the reminder 🙂
Jill Flory says
August 12, 2013 at 1:56 pmIt is so easy to forget to keep things in balance!