There are times when I have observed how others are gifted...how they find ease and satisfaction doing what it appears they were always meant to do. I remember feeling a twinge of jealousy knowing how they were able to do good things...that were already in their heart to do.
I've watched my one brother stand up and speak his truth and see renovations of things--the end product was in his vision plain as day and he wondered why others couldn't see what he saw.
I've watched my son Grant step in and connect with others from his past in a way that protects and shelters his sisters, watched him connect with other friends in a way that only someone with a high EQ could ever see and accomplish. He connects to others with words in a way that is powerful to all he touches.
I've watched my friend Josh step into his gifting and begin to be seen and appreciated for what he brings. It's very powerful to watch a person realize their own value and gifting--when others start to appreciate them and look to them for those gifts, vision and wisdom. None of it surprises me as he has spoken of his vision and painted a picture with stories for years...it's only surprising to him as it is coming to fruition as he saw it all those years ago.
It's only in the past year or so I really have come to appreciate what I can bring with ease and step into. I had always thought that it was my strength of survival-- and long suffering that would be my legacy...far from it.
It was my baby sister Laura that worded it best for me--"you are the one who sees others." I was at Chick Filet in Cool Springs and saw the dining room attendant "Rosa" and we were both excited to see each other.
Why????
I had worked in Cool Springs for the better part of 10 years and had seen her there like everyone else...She always took care of everyone and she did it well. One day she seemed particularly down and I put down my book and my own issues of loneliness from my life--I approached her and inquired what was going on and if she was all right--but in Spanish. Although my Spanish was very poor she seemed to appreciate the effort--and to appreciate that she was not invisible. That began ongoing dialogue on subsequent visits and I learned a great deal of her story and family history as it played into the life of who she had become....
And so to see her again after a few years--was something beautiful as she shared and updated me about her daughter and her family...and I got to share with my smile some of the gold from my trials--as only a man on the other side of an arduous journey can do.
I used to wonder why no one would talk about things after seeing the same things together as me...now I realize that it's only me that sees this in just this way and it is my job to speak into that...in fact if I don't speak into that it very well might go unnoticed or unspoken all together.
The moments that change our world in some way are small things...sometimes spoken words and sometimes simple actions observed by others...many times small actions not observed-done in obscurity--only seen by the one that matters most--our father above.
I have been taking stock in what I still want to do with the rest of my life...
Speak into lives to cause change and give hope...
Use my scars as my gold to those who really need to have that...
Teach and encourage others...
Work in a business with Grant before I retire...
That would be a full life--and would give me the legacy I want to leave-with the time I still have.
My mom also once observed and told me--you are the one who can inspire and bring others together for a cause.
Mom--you are right--I can do this-facing impossible odds and daunting circumstances--whether with my work teams--or missions trips to Ecuador, or Hurricane Katrina relief, or simply ball teams...I have found my voice, and my message of hope to go with seeing others--but it is the simple gift of seeing things in others that is the endearing and fluent overflowing gift I've been given to share freely that ultimately will define my life.
What is that thing in your life that you've been given that only you bring in that way...and with ease?
What are you doing with that gift?
I'd really be stoked to hear back from others what those things are...it redeems so much in my mind when others take time to connect back.
Please share back for everyone...you never know who's life you might change.
