You have received a gift from the God of the Universe! Inhale to contemplate receiving a gift from God! What is your gift? Do you use your gift to serve others? Spiritual Gift questionnaires indicate that I am gifted with exhortation, or encouragement, but I still struggle with being put into a box with “a” gift because I feel like there is more.  

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I have shared parts of my story about caring for my mom in our now ten-year dementia journey, and I just spent two weeks with her further navigating this road. It is HARD. Less than twelve hours before I boarded my flight to see her, my sister texted me that Mom was unresponsive and on her way to the ER. It was during worship at the end of a Wednesday night service when I saw the text. I headed back to the prayer room, but a dear friend saw me crying and enveloped me in her arms. She prayed that if I was supposed to be there, I would arrive in time. Her words calmed and comforted me while she served me with her gifts of mercy and faith!

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When I arrived, my mom was back at her memory care home, but she did not get out of her bed for three more days. I comforted her, fed her, helped her drink, advocated for her, and stayed by her side. I was serving her with gifts of mercy and service. During these three days, her team of medical staff recommended that my sister and I pursue hospice services due to new health issues. This was not a simple process and involved perseverance using gifts of discernment, administration, and faith to finish it.  

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While I was there, several unusual circumstances occurred at her home, so I found myself, along with the daughter of my mom’s roommate, using gifts of hospitality and helps to care for other residents. We served food and drink, fed some, removed dishes, and conversed with many. We were a great team that God used to bless others, and each other, when we jumped into serve.

On my flight home, I read today’s verse and notes from the devo team to prep for writing this devotion. I believe God gave me insight into why I was struggling with “a” specific gift. God's Word clearly indicates a variety of gifts. I Corinthians 12:4-11 lists at least nine gifts, Romans 12:6-8 lists at least seven gifts, with more in Ephesians 4:11-12. While reading about these gifts, I became aware of the many gifts from Him that I used to serve my mom well. Then God revealed that maybe the better question is not what my specific gift is, but how can I serve?  

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Are you tempted to serve others only in the area that you have been specifically gifted? Encouraging others through phone calls, texts, cards, and other ways comes naturally to me. I try to be especially aware when the Spirit puts someone in my mind that needs encouragement and respond to serve. It is beneficial to know the gift that you most naturally express, but remember that He will equip us with whatever gift or gifts we need to accomplish the task He has called us to at that moment (II Cor. 9:8). Maybe you do not feel gifted to teach but enjoy children and sowing the seeds of faith in them. Our ACF Kids Team can use your gift of faith to serve children and bring restoration to them and their families.  The gift of healing does not come naturally to me, but I can find a person with this gift to serve someone.

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How can you serve in various forms? What is needed in your community? To be a faithful steward of God’s gifts, the ACF community needs to be aware of needs and step up to serve others with all the gifts God gives. His gifts feel more fluid and can be more active and responsive when we serve as a faith community. It brings joy to serve with an awareness of needs in our community, and this is restoration in action!

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Now exhale! You can give a gift to God by using your gifts from God to serve someone!

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Father God, thank You for the gifts that You have given me. Help me to not focus on just one gift, but to use gifts with confidence and love to serve any need. Show me ways that I can serve others today and reflect Your grace in practical, meaningful ways. May my life reflect Your gift of Christ to others. I love you, Jesus.