Special Speciality

          Well, here I am again at the end of another month without a blog post. Honestly, I don’t want to give up on this and that is why I make sure I get something posted at least once each month (even if it is at the last minute). I guess it partway stems from my meticulous ways that I must have a post with a timestamp from each month. On that subject, I do have a tendency, almost a need, to over-explain myself, especially when I am writing. I am detail-oriented and I sometimes thrust those details upon people who may not care to hear all the reasoning behind my madness. I catch myself more and more as I’m speaking or in writing a message to a friend or a blog. I will repeat the same thing over and over again sometimes with different wording, but sometimes the very same thing. It’s not just that I want to get my point across, but I also want to make sure that the listener or reader understands why I’m making that point and how I came to that conclusion. Even in this very post I am probably over-explaining the meaning of the word “meticulous.” And now in this same manner I shall explain why I tend to be this way.

          I conceive that it is a variety of things that have happened over the course of my life so far that have lead me to acquire the characteristics I have aforementioned. Ok…so I couldn’t resist putting that sentence in; I hope it didn’t scare you away. Don’t worry, I won’t go into my full life story. I guess the main reason I feel the need to explain everything is because of my quiet nature. I feel misunderstood most of the time and so when I do actually communicate with others, even if it’s over something trivial, I want to make myself clear. There is only a handful of people who seem to truly “get” me, and sometimes it’s frustrating when others don’t understand. I could go on and on about this, and my two best friends have already received their share of the rant, but I’ll spare you the time.

          I know this is going to sound really, really cliché, but it’s true. God made each and every one of us special and we all have our own unique characteristics. This world would be so incredibly boring if all of us were the same. Our strengths and weaknesses in character make us who we are, and so instead of trying to change our weaknesses we should use our strengths. Even if you’re like me and tend to blend into the background, don’t allow that to make you feel useless. This world may appear to be driven by sociability and recognition, but don’t forget all the simple, quiet acts in the background. They may never be noticed unless they’re left undone. I won’t leave out those of you who are more socially-inclined; us quiet ones need you to be the leaders and go-getters. So, whether you’re introverted or extraverted, young or old, organized, artsy, compassionate, strong, smart, or whatever your personality and skills may be, use them. I speak to myself when I say this: don’t let your talents go to waste because you feel like their not good enough or not important. We all have something to contribute no matter how small it may seem. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8 NIV).

          If you want to know more about spiritual gifts and contributing to the body of Christ, read the rest of Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Also, I found a long, but interesting spiritual gifts test online at: http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi?intro=1