Looking for Your Sweet Spot

“There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NLV)

When I am looking for inspiration, I scroll through past blogs and on this day in 2014……..I was talking about finding my “sweet spot”.  I truly believe God nudges us in the direction we need to go.

Suzie Eller’s blog post on crosswalk.com has me thinking seriously (yes, AGAIN) about my “gifts”.  She talks about her Pinterest frenzy and how she tried all kinds of things.  Then one day her daughter after surveying her efforts said “Mom, you need to know your sweet spot and this isn’t it”.  YIKES!  How many times do we try things in an effort to be something we aren’t?  OR maybe our sweet spot has seasons, and it is time to move on.

WOW!  I know I have been talking about this A LOT lately but life has been changing for me.  I’m sure I am not the only one who experiences seasons with their gifts and talents, eight? I struggle with people pleasing so change is not easy.  Each of us is designed differently on purpose so we can come together to make a whole. So, what is your sweet spot? How has God gifted you for His purposes?

I struggle because although I know I have gifts and talents, Doubtful Debbie comes a knocking just when I think I am making strides.  Along with age (hitting 65 this year), recovery and MS issues all seem to play a factor.  Here are a few of my sweet spots:

• Making a difference – I truly believe this is one of my greatest gifts.  I am a glass half full kind of person and believe in sharing it.  Don’t get me wrong, there are days when Negative Nellie is around but they are fewer and far between lately.  Whether it is as simple as a card, a kind word or an angel to brighten someone’s day – I want to bring a smile to others.
• Crafty.  Angels have become the center of my crafting world – from sewing them to jewelry pieces to plastic canvas.  I love to share them with others and hear the stories as to why people pick certain ones.
• Writing.  I love to write.  Crazy as it sounds,  it started with poetry as a child then it moved onto grants in my professional career.  The initial challenge to blog was scary but exciting at the same time.  It is my hope I can inspire others through my strengths, hopes and experiences.
• Cooking.  Since moving to our forever home, I have found I LOVE cooking and sharing it with friends and family.

God can use these sweet spots for His purposes. God uses my unique design when I invite a neighbor or friend for dinner.  If your sweet spot is hospitality and making a home beautiful, then there are people who will be touched by this gift. If it’s humor and laughter, then someone needs to find that joy, too. If it’s teaching, teach.  Whatever your sweet spot, God has a purpose for you.

Time for me to focus on my sweet spots and make strides in all areas of my life.  How has God formed and fashioned you? Share your sweet spot with us.  It is not about being like someone else, it is about being ourselves and ACCEPTING ourselves including the gifts and talents God has given us.

Have an Epic day!

 

Spring Clean Your Wardrobe

Today is HUMP day!  I am not big on Spring Cleaning – you know that once a season HUGE cleaning frenzy but I am thinking about spring cleaning my clothes closet.  A devotional on  Crosswalk.com got me to thinking.  I know -scary, right?

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

Then a blog by Chelsea Spear made me wonder again what my style really is….do, I need more clothes or do I just need to coordinate and consolidate.  Chelsea had these questions when she talked about cleaning her closet:

1. Does it need mending or replacing?  Let’s be honest… are we really going to mend anything?  Get rid of it.  Keeping items around that aren’t being worn is CRAZY, right?

2. Have I worn this in the last season (or if it’s “special” ask yourself if you’ve worn it in the last year)?  Chances are if you’re not wearing it this year, you won’t be wearing it in the future.  Guess it is time to get rid of the dresses that have been hanging in my closet for oh so  long.  I mean really the last few times that I wore a dress was on formal night on the cruise or when I walked the stage at National Conference.  Do I really need 5 of them with skirt options in my closet?

3. Does it have stains or holes or runs? Okay, this one was easy for me because I get tide of things easily like this.

4. Does it fit? Is it flattering?  WOW!  That means that all of the jeans, capris and tops that have gotten a little big need to be donated.  I know the clothes that I wear that I get complimented on, so I need to stick with them.  This one is probably the most difficult, because it requires you to be 100% honest with yourself. 

5. How many of these do I need?  Okay, I am definitely guilty of this one.  I LOVE Old Navy tami tank tops.  I have LOTS of them – multiple in the same color and a few in different colors.  I wear them all year long.  These are a definite need to have lots.  Multiples of any other kind of shirt is crazy!  I can (and do) only wear so many jeans so I need to let the rest go.  No more just in case clothes.  You know the jacket that I bought for Belinda in HS and she never really wore.  It fits, so I kept it just in case so I could use it.  Guess it is time to donate it.

Are you ready to re-vamp your closet?  I am so excited about the chance to re-vamp my closet so that there are NOT a lot of options.  I mean the truth is, I am not good at coordinating things so I need to stick with basics.  There will be some donating to a great cause -a friend collecting clothes for a missions trip.  Some selling – I mean there are things that still have tags on them.   And finally maybe even some tossing of things that I have been holding onto and will never use.  The key to all of this, is NOT to shop and replace these items – just clean out and be content for awhile.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

 

Finding Your Sweet Spot

“There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NLV)

Suzie Eller wrote a blog on crosswalk.com that made me start to seriously think about my “gifts”…  She talks about her Pinterest frenzy and how she tried all kinds of things.  Then on day her daughter after surveying her efforts said “Mom, you need to know your sweet spot and this isn’t it”.  YIKES!  How many times do we try things in an effort to be something we aren’t…

WOW!  Those people pleaser efforts come flooding back…Each of us are designed differently on purpose so that we can come together to make a whole. So, what is your sweet spot? How has God gifted you for His purposes?

This is a question that I struggle with because although I know that I have gifts and talents, Doubtful Debbie comes a knocking just when I think I ams making strides.  Here are a few of my sweet spots:

• Writing.  I have learned that writing is my greatest sweet spot.  Whether it is grants, poetry, blogs – I love to write. It is my hope that I can inspire others through my strengths, hopes and experiences.
• Cooking and having people around my table.  I don’t do this as much as I would like anymore but I LOVE cooking and sharing it with friends and family.  Can’t bake worth a darn so I will leave that up to the talented bakers.
• Crafty. I know my limits so I am not going to knit or crochet anything.  I can sew – making clothes, doll clothes, crafts and more through the years.  Needlecrafts – like plastic canvas that inspires.

God can use these sweet spots for His purposes. In a devotion like this. God uses my unique design when I invite a neighbor or friend for dinner and board games after.  If it’s hospitality and making a home beautiful, then there are people who will be touched by that gift. If it’s humor and laughter, then someone needs to find that joy, too. If it’s teaching, teach.

Time for me to focus on my sweet spots and make strides in all areas of my life.  How has God formed and fashioned you? Share your sweet spot with us.  It is not about being like someone else, it is about being ourselves and ACCEPTING ourselves including the gifts and talents that God has given us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!