My Abilities. OH. MY.

This weeks study has been tough for me. I have SUCH a hard time looking at what I CAN do...And tend to look at the negative; What I CAN NOT do.
So I had to sit back and take stock.

Abilities....

Hmmmmm....

I found it was easier to ask someone else or think about what I have been complimented on in the past.

Singing. I love to sing praises to Christ and He has gifted me with a fairly decent voice. I used to have a wider range than I do now; I must confess that I have smoked in the past year and it has damaged this ability. My voice is now deeper and rougher than it used to be.
I quit. Three months ago. Don't worry.
As for how I can use it for the Lord and His service, that is a study in itself. I used to lead singing at our church. I can't really call it "praise" because not one person (except me) ever raised their hands to the Lord or even stood up unless I asked them to. We did a half hour praise time for awhile before "traditional service", but it was eventually phased out. Then the praise songs were slowly disappearing. When I left due to my schedule changing at work ( I have to work Sundays now) the congregation was pretty much back to 1800's hymns.
Not that I am against that! I love them! I especially love trying to Jazz them up a little and get people to THINK about the words they are singing; not simply sing from rote.
But to tell you the truth, it was a little (OK, a LOT depressing) to be losing ground like that.
I also want to do a gospel recording someday. I have alot of friends in the Pacific Gospel Music Association http://www.pacificgospel.com/ and would LOVE to have a ministry like that.
But is that what God wants for me? Maybe someday...

I enjoy quilting and sewing. Many members of my family have told me how much they appreciate projects I have made for them. My sister and I designed a quilt for my grandparents and my grandmother would not let it out of her sight. I whipped out a crazy quilt out of flannel squares one day because my Mommy was in the hospital and I couldn't afford flowers. I had won the flannel fat-quarters in a drawing and they made a great "hospital bed sized" quilt. To this day, she uses it like her own security blanket; taking it to the hospital when she has to go or wrapping herself in it when she doesn't feel well. Someday, I'll do a post with pictures of some of the quilts I've done. It's fun. And I LOVE to see their faces, to brush away the tears, to be wrapped in the warm loving arms when I present the gift. Wow. Makes me smile just to think about it.

I can cook. Like for LARGE groups of people. This has come in very handy at church. During our ALPHA program, I did dinner each week for 50 people. And the Valentine's dinner for 75. It feels SO wonderful when it all comes together.
I also have the ability to calm others; I seem to project this air of confidence. Like I know what I'm doing. Even when I don't.
YIKES.
I've had people tell me I should be a nurse. I've had many, many calls from friends and family for medical advice. I have a driving DESIRE to be a homebirth midwife and am walking that path as the Lord opens doors.
However, the down-side to this "ability" is that I tend to come across as a "Know-it-all". I am aware of this. I try SO hard not to let this happen.

And that's one thing I've noticed.

For every "ability", Satan has a "disability". For every thing I can do halfway decently, Satan knows how to trip me up.
Aaaargh! And often I fall into his trap.

I always have to be on my guard.
And I need to keep asking my Heavenly Father how I can use these abilities with my Gifts.
For it changes as the seasons of my life change.
A work in progress, indeed.