gifts...

Ever since my sister came a few weeks ago there have been gifts in the guest room with my name on them, they keep coming and with each delivery I am reminded that they are piling up in there! I am so overwhelmed each year by the amount of thoughtfulness on my birthday and enjoy seeing the pretty packages. With gifts being in there this long this year though...I am also really wondering whats in all those pretty packages? when will I get to open them {today I hope!}? what will I do with the treasures inside?

I think God thinks the same thing about our gifts...

Not our birthday presents, but the presents He presented to us at birth...the talents he gave us the day we were born and the spiritual gifts we were blessed with the day of our rebirth.

He has given us talents and spiritual gifts...many of which we may have untapped or unused. I wonder how often He feels...how long until they open and use what I have given them? How long until they unwrap, discover, and use what gift I have blessed them with? How long are they going to stare at the pretty package of that blessing before they use it for the good of my kingdom? {...although...He is much more patient than I!}

I am still reading the Purpose Driven Life {remember it takes like 40 days!} I am learning and remembering pearls about walking, living, and being with God's purpose every day...I highly recommend you taking the time to pick up this gem and read it. Actually, if anyone would like to begin reading it, but doesn't want to go at it alone...I would be more than happy to read it along with you starting from chapter one.

Each chapter is relevant. But amazingly each chapter seems to be relevant to my needs that day or week. For example, the Monday after we visited a new church on Sunday...that day's lesson was on finding a church home. {wow!} Today was no different. I have been reading this week about how God shaped us in His image and for His image. So I am learning why I was created...perfect timing...because I was born 26 years ago today!

Today's read discussed shape...nope not physical {that was yesterday}...yes I have red hair for a reason! Some days I think it might be just to give strangers a smile...not a touch {as mentioned before I draw the line when they want to touch my hair}, but a smile because they always seem so in awe of its color!

Anyways, sidetrack...shape.

We were created for a purpose {we've been told this forever}, but did you know that if we don't fulfill that purpose...it goes unfilled. No one else is going to come along behind us and fill it...it won't be filled. Now I realize that finding one's purpose isn't an easy task...but there are things I know about myself {and don't know about myself} that are clues towards finding my purpose in life. God gives us "clues" about our gifts...what do we enjoy doing? what is our passion? what are we good at? Good thing God doesn't want me share the gift of song...I can't carry a tune!

Not only does our shape consist of our personality, but also our experiences. I hope that as I live this next year that not only my personality moves more in tune with God and the gifts He has given me, but I also hope to have the oneness and ability to share my experiences and the ones to come to use what He has created me for. So I too encourage you to realize that you too are blessed with gifts today {not my birthday presents...sorry}, but the presents God has given you...some you recognize and some are waiting to be opened.

On my day of birth...I thank God for breathing life in me. I thank my parents for showing me life. I thank hubby for choosing to share this life with me. for I am blessed.