My husband, Jerry has the gift of being able to communicate with animals. Now as strange as that seems, not only can he “talk” to our horses, but to our dogs, to Doris, our cat, but also, as unbelievable as this seems, our chickens.
One of our hens—Jerry has named her Gracie—will run up to him, and, as if inviting him to pick her up, squats down on the ground so he can scoop her into his arms with ease. Petting her as he would one of our dogs, he walks around the chicken yard talking with her until he puts her down so she can scurry off to do her henly duties. I have never seen anything like it.
Everyone has their gifting. From the least of us to the greatest, from the youngest to the oldest, we all have those things in which we shine. Whether it’s something phenomenal, such as finding the cure for a horrific disease, or something more under the radar, such as being the best friend to the animals, all gifts are wonderful and none are unimportant.
Even Gracie, “graced” with being one of the most trusting chickens that has ever lived, also gives us on a regular basis ginormous eggs that are often double-yolked. And Jerry along with his sweet ability to connect with animals, is creative in just about any art form—beautiful watercolors, oils, murals, set design, and sculptures. Multiple abilities, multiple blessings.
But while all this creativity is happening, the world hammers home the idea we need to excel at “one-thing.” From early childhood on, we are asked, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” Then a little later, “What are you going to major in when you’re in college?” Time and again, we are taught to believe, because of what is successful, celebrated, and famous, that not one of us should ever be the “jack-of-all-trades” and the master of none—that we must stand out as an author, an athlete, an artist, a student, the list goes on and on. And because of that, we are left mumbling shamed-faced apologies for basically having many gifts and talents.
My new friend Marcus, who works at the restaurant First Watch in Cool Springs, TN, one morning at breakfast pointed out this very fact to Jerry and me—that we are all multitalented, and why shouldn’t we be? We are God’s creation, and He has given us many gifts. And you know, he’s right! What he said was so freeing that all the misplaced expectations I had put on my own life began to loosen and fall away. It was as if a huge load had been taken from me, and I could breathe again.
In the book of Genesis, God tells us He created us in His image. (See Genesis 1:27.) Since He Himself is so creative, it would stand to reason that we also follow suit.
So let us dive in and take joy in what God has put into us.
In His love,
Kimberly
Kimberly is the author of the children’s book Mr. Zip and The Capital Z.
Watch the book trailer here.
