“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

            I just came back from spending a month in Idaho visiting our daughter and her family.  We had a mini-reunion as the rest of our family arrived in shifts and stayed for several days.  It was joy to be together under one roof.

            Our granddaughter Elli is two and at the point of trying to dress herself.  She has largely concentrated on putting on and taking off her shoes, especially her cute white sandals. Even when she put them on the wrong feet (easy to do with size 5 sandals, lots of open space, and Velcro straps), she managed to stand up and walk, not even noticing that they were on the wrong feet. “Elli, change the shoes and put them on the other feet,” we’d coax, but she ignored us and considered her accomplishment adequate and appropriate. After all, she could walk in them, even if we thought it looked (and maybe even felt) awkward. Eventually, because she wanted to go outside and play, we helped her change the shoes to the correct feet. Occasionally she tried on Nonni’s (me) shoes and Auntie Kate’s and Aunt Su-Sues. She stood there proudly as if to say, “Look at me. Look what I did. Look, I can wear your shoes! Don’t I look beautiful?”  She didn’t travel very far on high heels, but we applauded her accomplishment as she stood in place.

            I know after reading my thoughts on pedicures last month, you may think that I am fixated on feet, but this seems to be where God is taking me and teaching me. Elli’s adventures with shoes gave me some eye opening object lessons. She sure worked hard at putting shoes on her feet. The problem was the fit. She really would have been much more comfortable wearing shoes on the correct feet, but she ignored our pleas. We all know from our experiences with shoe shopping that a good fit is important or we won’t walk very far comfortably.

            God gave us gifts—shoes if you will-- to use for work He has planned for us to do in advance. His gifts in us to do His work are a perfect fit. Maybe that’s why we are fulfilled in some things and sense frustration in others. Have you said “yes” to something just to meet a need, but it really isn’t using your gifts? Are you seeing signs of fatigue and frustration and not going very far?  Have you said “no” to something when you know you have the shoes to say “yes” but you’re overwhelmed by what you have already taken on and you have no more room in your schedule or energy to give?  Are you floundering and missing the perfect fit? Do you feel a little like Elli—the shoes fit, they initially look good, but the walk isn’t very comfortable?

            I hope that when Elli grows up she will be able to wear her Nonni’s and Auntie’s shoes and walk long distances. I pray that we will have given her examples worthy to imitate by living out God’s priorities for our lives as we use our gifts. I will have no greater joy than to hear Elli say, “Look at me, Nonni,” and know that she is fulfilling the Master’s plan for her life and walking where He leads her.

Reflections:  Paul lists spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and in Romans 12.  Have you found your God-given gifts?  How are you using them? You might go to a Christian bookstore and locate a spiritual gifts test if you aren’t sure. You have perfect shoes waiting for you!   © Marilyn Nutter, All rights reserved.