In everything that happens there's a seed for something better

For months, I’ve prayed for God’s guidance about my writing career, for the wisdom to make the right choices and the strength to bear the weight of those decisions. I kept asking God for a sign that I was doing exactly what I was meant to do, but a sign never came. He wasn’t listening, I thought.

It turned out that I was the one who hadn’t been listening, who hadn’t seen the signs that were right before my eyes.

Sorry, God. I got it now. Promise.

I think that in everything that happens there's a seed for something better. But first, you have to recognize the seed and plant it in fertile ground. Then, you must nurture it, making sure it gets just the right about of water and sunshine.

Use you talents

Have you ever sat in church and felt like the sermon was directed at you? Today was one of those days. Kind of made me itch, ya know? The Gospel was from Matthew 25: 14-30. It was the parable of talents.

You know the story -- the one about the tragedy of wasted opportunity. So a rich man is going away and before he does, he meets with his slaves. He gives one dude five talents, another two and another one. The first two dudes use their talents and double them. The third dude buries his talent in a hole. When the rich man returns and checks in to see how his slaves have done with the talents he has given them, he praises the two slaves who doubled their talents. But, as you can imagine, the master's not too happy with the third slave who was lazy and did nothing with his.

So here's how I see it. God has given each of us talents. Maybe you can write or sing or paint. Maybe you're a good listener or teacher. Heck, maybe you can run a mean mile or solve Suduko puzzles in record time. Whatever your talents might be, you should use them, not bury them. 

I've met people who say, "I can't do that." It's often not that they can't do it, it's that they're too afraid to try. Everything we have God has given us. He expects us to use our talents. He wants us to use our talents. He doesn't want us to be like the third slave who dug a hole and buried his talent and did nothing with it.

So why am I sharing this with you today? I was having a little pity party in the pew before church began today. You know the moment -- one of those why-do-I-even-bother-to-write-if-no-one-is-going-to-read-it moments. An if-I-had-any-talent-my-agent-would-be-able-to-sell-my-work moment.

And then it happened. I swear I didn't know what the sermon was about today. But then the pastor spoke, and he talked about talents and that's when it clicked. I haven't buried my talent. I'm using my talent (at least the talent I think I have) to the best of my ability. Dang, I'm trying to double it. And, that's all I can do. The rest is out of my hands.

So here's what I want to say to you. If you're a writer and you're struggling and doubting, don't give up. If you're not a writer and you're reading this blog, whatever your talent is, don't give up. Don't ever get frustrated and bury your talents. And don't be afraid to try.

You've been given a gift by God to use. Use your talent or talents that you've been given. And remember, no talent is too small.

God bless each of you this Sunday and I hope you have an awesome week.

If you enjoyed this post, check out these columns:

Don't be afraid to show love
One special moment can reveal a life
Celebrating the strands that bind us together
Seeds of healing fall from the sky
Tapestry: A shift of view
Our choices determine the impact
Learn to have the generosity of children
We learn from our failures

Quote of the day

"Believe in love. Believe in magic. Hell, believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?" - Jon Bon Jovi

RIGHT ON!

At a crossroads

Imagine being at a crossroads. You’re in the middle, able to go in any direction you choose.
North.
South.
East.
West.
Which road do you take?
It’s difficult deciding what path to travel when you don’t know where each road leads. And yet there’s something wild and romantic and adventurous about going down a road you know nothing about.
Will there be obstacles?
Most certainly.
Will I fall and get hurt?
Probably.
Will the end be worth the journey?
It almost always is.
If you are standing at a crossroads and trying to decide which road to take, I hope you choose a path that leads to adventure and discovery and personal and professional growth. I think that we grow from the challenges and difficulties we face. That doesn’t mean I like facing them. It means that I do the best I can with what I have. Sometimes, it’s enough; sometimes, it’s not. But all I can do is try. That’s all you can do, too.
A new year has begun. Who knows what it will bring.
Happiness?
I hope so.
Success?
That would be great.
But no matter what lies ahead, I hope that you stay true to yourself, believe in yourself and live.
Really, really live.
Life is far too short to crowd it with regrets. It’s far too short to crowd it with I-wish-I-would-haves. Some of the happiest people in the world are those who take the path they are least sure of and discover that it’s not always the destiny that counts, but the journey there.

Keep on climbin'

I love the words in this song. It's a great remember to all of us who are struggling to get up the mountain to keep the faith and continue climbing one step and a time and not give up.

Short but good video

Need some motivation? Fear failure? Watch this. And have a fabulous Friday!

What is your dream?

I love this movie clip. What is your dream and how are you achieving it? Please share in comments.

Inspirational video

This song always gets me pumped up. What song inspires you? Share in comments.

To all of my heroes

To all the writers who struggle each and every day, you are my heroes. Don't give up on your dreams -- ever!

Some inspirational movie moments

Enjoy!

A very smart professor who knows his coffee

A great reminder for each of us