Tuesday September 15 2015  THE GIFTS GOD GIVES US

 

Again, my title does not make a lot of sense to me.  Sometimes I just have a “creative” thought and the title comes before my idea for my blog.  Thus, it is tonight.  I’ve been thinking about creativity lately and wondering what more can I do to be creative.  Am I only creative in the area which I “feel” gifted, or is it possible to be creative in other areas, or lots of other areas? 

I believe all people are given gifts of creativity from God.  The first and foremost reason is because God created us in His image and if we are created in His image we must be gifted with creativity.  After all, God created the entire world and universe.  If God is creative (which we know He is) and we are created in His likeness, it only proves to me that He has created us as creative beings.  It is such a joy to create. It doesn’t need to be some big project or something that the world will see and go ooh and aah over, nor does it have to be expensive or extremely detailed.  It could be something as simple as a sweet letter, encouraging a friend.   

There are probably as many definitions of creative as there are people.  Each person has their own unique and original way to create.  I look at some people and am so truly amazed at how they can paint unbelievable art, or sing with the voice of angels, or write books that become multimillion dollar sellers, or graphic artists and all the technological creativeness there is in the world.  It is just so astounding to me.  I even look at the gift God gave me in writing poetry and sometimes wonder how I can do that which to me, seems like such a simple thing.  And all of a sudden the thoughts that are forthcoming are beginning to make sense of my title, THE GIFTS GOD GIVES US. 

Over the last few days I am beginning to realize that the gift that I think of as simple, is actually a great gift that God has entrusted to me.  He has used several people the last few days to make me realize that my gift is only beneficial in as much as I use it for God’s glory.  It doesn’t matter what kind of gift God bestows upon His children.  He gives each of us gifts to be used for Him.  God purposed the creation of each one of us.  God has a plan for each of us and it is good.  I believe His plan is for each of us to use the gifts He has showered upon us.  Someday we will stand before God and when He asks us, “What did you do with the gift I gave you”, how will we respond?  I must take responsibility for the gift my Father has given me.  I must steward not only my talent, but I must be a good steward of what I do with my gift, how I present it, who I give it to, and how far to take it.  ‘How will it best be used for His glory’ is the question we must ask ourselves.

“THE GIFT GOD GIVES US.”  Have you, yes, if you are reading this I am asking YOU, PERSONALLY, have you taken time to discover the gift or gifts that God has bestowed upon you?  If you know your gift(s) have you set aside time daily to give these gifts back to God?  Are you developing your gifts?  Are you sharing them with your world? 

I will tell you a short story, part I may have mentioned before.  Several years ago I was reading a book and in the book it was talking about the Sabbath and how we need to restore the rhythm and rest to our soul.  The writer closed the chapter by asking the readers to take a look at their life and see if there was a possibility to take a part of everyday to have a “Sabbath rest”, by doing something you enjoyed.  I mentally cataloged all the things I liked to do and found that I already did everything I liked to do every day.  One of my favorite things to do at that time was write and I did that daily in my journal.  I left it at that.  A few days later I was listening to Joyce Myers on the computer as I worked in my photography office.  She said that God had given each of us a talent and we had to take a look at our lives and ask ourselves “what are you doing with that talent?”  She went on to say that someday we would have to stand before God and give an account to God as to what we had done with the talent He gave us.  WOW!  That hit me between the eyes.  I knew God had given me a talent for writing poetry from the time I was a very young girl.  I would write when someone needed something, or someone would hire me to write an epic poem about a life or a story poem about something.  I would usually write a poem for a special occasion and for Christmas, and that was about it.  I knew in that moment, listening to Joyce’s words, that God was giving me a gentle nudge to do more with the gift He had bestowed upon me.  I prayed and made a commitment to God that I would set aside 15 minutes every day for my “daily Sabbath” and write a poem.  I never really gave it a thought as to what I would do with them, how many hundreds, thousands, would accumulate, or how they would bless the people I gave them to.  Have I written one every single day since then? No.  Does God make me feel guilty?  No.  My poetry to Him is my gift to Him.  And he just keeps blessing me with His blessings of more and more poems to write.  I think I will include a poem I wrote several years ago about just this very topic.  (Of course I’ll write today’s poetry gift to Him before I include the older one.)  I already have it on the blog site but I’ll include it at the end of this date perchance you may want to read it.

Stop and think about the gift(s) God has given you.  Step out in faith and cultivate those gifts and give them away.  Creativity is fun to do for self but I think it has more meaning when others too can enjoy it.

I said all the above to let you know that I am making a new commitment to God and myself to fulfill what I believe God is directing me to do.  I am to finish writing and compiling books that are started and to create new ones.  I have had several people tell me recently that I need to get that done.  I agree.  My sister told me recently that I may have to become a recluse to do the work that needs to be accomplished.  I am beginning to understand that becoming a recluse may need to become a possibility in the near future.  HOWEVER, A RECLUSE I AM NOT!  The synonyms for recluse are:  hermit, loner, outsider, solitary, eremite, ascetic, and lone wolf.  If you know me, you can tell those words do not describe me in the least.  However, I do love my times of solitude.  Oh, how I enjoy solitude!  (INSERT:  MY HUSBAND IS PROOFING THIS WITH ME AND STOPPED HERE TO SAY SOMETHING TO ME.  THIS IS THE SOMETHING HE SAID, “HONEY YOU WOULD BE A DYING FLOWER IF YOU CUT YOURSELF OFF FROM PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU LIKE TO TALK..AND TALK.. AND TALK…)  End of comment.

My timeline is starting.  I don’t know exactly when.  (Doesn’t sound too promising, does it)?  I have a few obligations that are to be fulfilled and I have a promise to myself to keep my calendar cleared after those are fulfilled without new commitments.  I have found that keeping promises to myself are some of the most important promises I must keep.  However, keeping my promise first to God is always my priority.  When I am obedient unto Him I believe that He will direct my steps.  What does it mean in the future for my blog?  I do not know at this time.  All I know is that I enjoy writing the blog.  It sort of feels like therapy to me.  You should try it.  Even if you do not go online with what you write, it may stretch your thinking, and cause you to give thought to that which you never considered before.

One of the commitments I choose to do is to be a good steward of that which God has given me.  I appreciate the feedback I have received from readers.  Thank you for your encouragement.  Also, as of yesterday, I opened my blog up for online search engines to be able to find me.  Perhaps others will find my site like the lady who needed to hear a word from God and googled, “word from God”, and my blog came up to a certain date.  This was before I was on the search engine.  I believe that was a direct hit from the Lord.  Please pray that if there are those out in the public who might benefit from a blog such as mine that they will be directed to my site.  As I traveled I did not go heavy on the spiritual aspects when writing the blog.  It will now become more spiritual oriented.  If I can touch even one life, then it is not in vain. Please share my blog with any who you think might enjoy it.  And remember, I am open to topics that you would like me to explore and perhaps write about.

 

IF I CAN…

By Kathleen Martens

September 15, 2015

 

If I can touch, just one life

Perhaps this time will be rife.

If my song will touch a soul

That alone would be my goal.

If my word speaks to one

I hope it is about God’s Son.

If what I write is a gift

Another’s heart it will lift.

If my gift is offered back

Then my words will not lack.

If what I say rings so true

Perhaps a heart will be made anew.

 

Thank you for reading today’s blog.  I hope it makes some sense.  Following is the poem I wrote on July 23, 2010

 

 

God’s Gift to Us Is Our Gift to Him

Kathleen Martens

July 23, 2010

 

We go about our lives, in such a busy way,

Not stopping to enjoy the present throughout our entire day.

Our stress rises when there is no time for rest.

Our work falters, and no longer do we do our best.

 

What if just for fifteen minutes we stopped to be alone?

Enjoying thoughts and solitude, restringing our heart’s tone?

Doing something that gives us peace, as we set those minutes aside,

Doing what we love to do, as in our creativity we abide.

 

We all are given from our God, a unique and wonderful gift.

Not for us to boast about, but rather our spirit to lift.

We can take no credit for what to us God gives,

But rather must answer Him, with my gift how did I live?

 

Did we use it, to the potential that God desired?

Or instead, in pity did we get mired?

No one else has potential, to do just what you do.

No one can write the song that can only come through you.

 

No one can dance the dance with your own two feet,

Or write the lyrics of your song, upon your blank sheet.

No one can hold a pen and sketch the faces you see.

No one can unleash your talent setting your spirit free.

 

Someday we’ll leave this magnificent earth below

And stand before the Almighty King, the one that we know.

And then we must answer, what did we do?

And Oh I hope, we surely do not rue.

 

But rather I would hope we’ll leave our gift behind,

That which only we could give; something one of a kind.

Created in those moments, of solitude and love,

Created from the wonderful gift, God gave us from above.

 

So take the time and sing your song—

Write your poem for it’s never wrong.

Dance your dance with merry heart—

Even fifteen minutes is a grand start.

 

Paint your portrait, sketch that face—

Slow down your spirit, calm your race.

Build your tower, create a new design—

So many different ways, to be oh so fine.

 

And by using your gift you are fulfilling God’s plan

His unique idea, for each woman, each man.

And not only do you give lasting pleasure

But God receives joy in unending measure.

 

For He delights in the joy you receive

For when doing what you love, 

IN YOURSELF YOU BELIEVE.

 

Good night.