Do you ever compare yourself to someone else and wonder:
“Why haven’t I been given the talents and abilities they have?”
School is going great for Bethany and Bethany is immensely enjoying not only part time home school, but part-time public schooling. (oh, yes! you can! Part time home school– part time public school – click here for PBS article.)
One thing has happened to my perspective that I don’t like: I used to measure Bethany’s progress by her individual advancements, now I’m compelled to compare her progress with her peers. This is never a good idea! 🙂
Case in point: S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G
Bethany delights to spell because she l-o-v-e-s pretending she is Akeelah in the movie Akeelah and the Bee. (a movie about a young girl who makes it to the National Spelling Bee.)http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2077856256/tt0437800
Last week, we were working on the spelling list her class was studying. Grabbing her play microphone, she listened intently for her word. “Can I have a “definition” please?” I smiled and used it in a sentence. Then with a fanfare of deliberation and drama, she spelled- F- R- — she smiled—- E- E- she wiggled —- D—she spun around twice—O—M! FREEDOM.
As I state, “That is correct!” she danced forward, giddy with triumph, gave me a high five and retreated back to her spot on “stage”.
Victory– by “BS of M”
(Bethany Standard of Measurement)
But at the end of the week, after all that repetition and hard work, the reality is she has only mastered 11 of the 25 words on the spelling list.
Where are my spiritual spectacles that help me see what’s really going on ??? sigh…..
I was reminded of the story of the “talents” that Jesus told. The “master” gave one person 5 “talents”, another 2 “talents”, and another just 1 “talent” –
HE DIVIDED THEM IN PROPORTION TO THEIR ABILITIES!
He assessed their degree of skill and competence.
He evaluated the degree to which they could succeed!
[Tweet “Don’t compare yourself to anyone; just be faithful to use the talents you’ve been given!”]
In the parable, he fairly invested talents; knowing they could be productive with what He had given.
He left on a trip. When He came back, all but one had invested and built upon the “talent” given them. (if you want to read the story in entirety, click on this link ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025&version=NLT)
Spiritual Glasses On: God has given Bethany “talents” ACCORDING TO HER ABILITIES! She may have only ONE
“talent” compared to her classmates. Some have five, some ten; some much more, some even less. We are not to compare.
It only matters what we do with what we’ve been given.
The bottom line is what she does with that ONE “allotment”. Does she put 100% into life? (yes! 🙂 ) Does she squander the “talent” she’s been given? NO! Maybe she can’t learn 25 spelling words in a week but she can conquer eleven; and maybe that’s 100% for her.
I think it’s as simple as this:
we’re all to be investing everything He’s given us.
Delighting in learning and growing and
yielding to His process of maturation and development.
And when He comes back, if we’ve invested His “gift of talents” and developed them, He says with great praise….“‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”
Surprising Treasure: Being faithful and Investing everything God gives us, rewards us with “THE PARTY” of our lifetime!
First of all–the sunflower pictures are awesome!!! Second–I think 11 is AWESOME!!!!
And Third–this is beautifully written–but I think Bethany has more than 1 talent (I know–you were writing figuratively). I know she has the talent of making me remember to be happy, and the talent of making me laugh. She can help make someone’s day brighter, and she cares so much about other people. There are 4 talents right there 🙂
Loves–Mary P.
Mary! You made my day!!! You’re right- She does have so many talents- 🙂 I just need to remember not to compare….. I want to throw back some encouragement to you. God has gifted YOU and you are using your talents to help so many! You’ve invested so much in Bethany and we’ll always smile when we think of you. Hugs- miss you so much- Cindy
May God grant us the spiritual eyes to see how He sees. Bethany doesn’t know it, but she is an investor and an example to us all. If only traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange could get the kind of returns on investment that Bethany gets from her work at learning…
And let me say this- Cindy is an investment maximizer! She has done her research on Downs Syndrome and learning. So she knows what she is doing as she invests in Beth’s learning. Like the economy, as Cindy succeeds in finding ways to help Bethany, Bethany succeeds, as Bethany succeeds, our family succeeds, as our family succeeds, so does our little part of God’s Kingdom… Congress take note!
LOVED this Cindy! Your attitude is so amazing. “Spiritual spectacles”–something I misplace too often. What perspective.
Thanks Sarah- nah- my attitude is so “lacking”- I need to wear those spiritual spectacles all the time 🙂 Thankfully- HE is the great TRANSFORMER- so my eyesight is actually getting more like His all the time
What a delight that Bethany is, studying her spelling with a spelling bee drama! She makes learning fun – I could have learned from her when I was tearing out my hair over our Ben’s spelling. Thankfully, my teacher-sister reminded me that our physician brother always has misspellings in his messages! She told me some can and some cannot spell (how individual brains are wired), so not to fret. Ben didn’t, either. He relied on spell-check! 🙂
I like how your writing makes me think; and how God works on our spiritual spectacles through people around us, too. Their encouragement acts like a windshield wiper, clearing off the glass so we can better see.
Now, those photos – I cannot think of a more appropriate setting for that sunshiney girl than for her to be surrounded by big bright sunflowers! Bethany in her element. I love it 🙂
It is funny- once something “clicks” for Beth- that’s how she likes to do it. The first time she watched Akeelah- she was fascinated. She watched it five or six times thereafter. For me to think of any other way to test for Spelling words would be so counterproductive. She’s found her groove. That’s cool about your Ben- thank God for spell check 🙂 !
It’s true we’re “wired” differently, and your replies always stimulate my brain thinking about the different directions and tangents I could take. I like your windshield wiper analogy! As always- Hugs-
This post moved me in an unusual direction. I”m teaching on King Hezekiah this morning. King Hezekiah began strong. Received a miraculous healing. But unfortunately he seems to have misplaced his spiritual spectacles: the ones that could keep his focus tuned to the spiritual realities behind his physical circumstances. Bethany’s special circumstances remind me how essential it is for me to not let down my guard. I can be sentimental in relationships, but when we it comes to sacred things my prayer is, “Lord don’t let me compromise. Keep me spiritually serious, sober, and vigilant for the sake of my family’s future.”
Just reading your stories I can agree that Bethany has many talents and making people smile or laugh appears to be one of them. She has a beautiful smile.
I wanted to share a small story about Janice. Last week we visited a church 2 blocks from my Mom’s. In Sun City we were by far the youngest people in the church, but it was still nice. the presence of God was very strong and I was soaking in that presence while a woman came over to lay hands on Janice. That evening she told me that she felt God’s peace and joy just pouring out of Janice as she layed hands on her. It’s so true. So many times, well meaning believers pray for her to be healed and leave Jan with a healing of their own. I have known this since she was very young. One time when she was about 2-3 yrs old, she reached out and touched me while I was crying, and God’s peace came pouring out through me.
God made us all in different packages. God has reason for all of the differences. It’s all for HIS GLORY!!
Bless you all.
WOW! Debbie- what a beautiful treasure!!!!! May God open our eyes to see His glory in disguise. It’s amazing and yet shouldn’t be, for He declares He is strong in our weaknesses and His glory is displayed in our “jars of clay”. What a ministry Janice has to those who are blessed to be around her and know her. I love you friend- and I’m excited to share life stories someday and rejoice when we see all God has done for His glory!!!! hugs
I think that is an amazing spiritual truth. I know even in my own life I can be a chicken scratching at the ground when God wants me to soar. Its easy to compare ourselves to others; keeping our eyes on them, instead I absolutely believe God wants us to keep our eyes on Him. He has given us all different spiritual, physical, and emotional gifts/talents, and I love that he will only compare us to ourselves. Thanks for the great reminder. 🙂
Thanks Micah- You are a “soarer” in my mind- my eagle with his wings spread wide! Hugs