The Freedom of Having "Other Gifts"

Today at work I heard someone whistling an incredibly beautiful tune. I have always wished I could whistle. I can sing, play guitar, ukelele, piano, French horn, alto and soprano recorders and even a kazoo - but I cannot whistle. I have attempted to learn over the years, but the results are frankly embarrassing (and painful to hear). My tactful daughter finally said, " Mom - it's okay - you can give it a rest. You have plenty of other gifts."


The word “gift” has so much emotion to it, whether used as a noun, verb or adjective. I love receiving gifts (especially those given "just because"), I enjoy gifting other people (often with freshly baked banana bread), and I love to bask in the glow of being told I am gifted (as a musician or writer). Just thinking about the word “gift” gives me a rosy glow of pleasure.

Being gifted tends to mean a person is naturally good at a particular thing, like music or art or being able to fix cars (the last is the one that impresses me the most since I don't have that gift!). Everyone has several gifts or areas where they have natural abilities beyond the average person. We also have areas where we wish we were gifted and try to somehow prove that we are, working against the grain and fooling no one. How much better it is to discover the particular gift God has given you and invest time in honing it.


Having a gift is not usually enough on its own - time and energy have to be spent in developing a gift before it is truly wonderful. A rough gemstone embedded in a rock is valuable, but how much more so when a sapphire or emerald is cut to show all its beautiful facets.


As a young girl, I was in love with ballet. I desperately wanted to become a ballerina, but my parents were wise enough to know that moving gracefully was not my gift. Instead, they encouraged me in other directions like piano and guitar, and I have been grateful. Nowadays I find myself with less need to prove myself in areas I am not gifted - like fly fishing, bowling and whistling. After all, as my daughter pointed out, I have other gifts.


How have you discovered what your gifts are? Are there some gifts you have wished you had? I'd love to read your postings.


Sandy Kay Salsbury