Each of us is given various talents and gifts. These talents and gifts are our inner riches that we can savor, develop, hone and mine. We are not just given our inner riches when we are born. Throughout life, new riches can be unearthed through new relationships developed, new friendships made, and new help offered.
When I became a mom, I discovered talents that I was not aware that I had: I didn’t know that I could balance a baby on one hip, direct an eager and curious preschooler and make dinner at the same time without burning it. Who knew?
Ever so often, I pick up and read another chapter in the book, Moma’s Got a Fake I.D. by Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira. I love the third chapter’s title “Take Your Cues From God”. The chapter starts on page 39. She asked how does God reveal his true identity to you?
“Scripture shows us that getting to know ourselves and making ourselves known has its foundation in God’s self-revelation,” wrote Dahlstrand Rivadeneira. Later in the chapter, the author adds that we see God’s invisible qualities in his creativity, in His sense of order, and his craftsmanship.
I concur with the author that I can see God in His creation. It is more than seeing the beauty in what is right in front of us. God wants us to see beyond the obvious. He wants us to look around the edges, look under the rocks, and notice the obscure details. God wants us to start digging deep within ourselves and seek out the less obvious.
Our inner riches could be our kindness, love, friendship, and humanity. It could be our simplicity or, our humility. Our riches could be our compassion, our creativity, or our passion. Our inner riches are often revealed through our actions to others not just in our words.
The key to mining our riches is to become a steward of them. Care for yourself, be patient, and be kind. Make the most of who you are; but do not strip your resources for the quick and easy buck. Choose well. In our time, let us seek out the wise and listen to the wisdom of our elders.
“What we call the secret of happiness is more a secret than our willingness to choose life,” Leo Buscaglia, the late author and speaker.
One the most wonderful riches we can mine for ourselves is choice.
“The freedom of choice with which God has endowed us is truly one of the greatest gifts of all,” wrote author Joyce Meyer in her book, The Secret to True Happiness: Enjoy Today, Embrace Tomorrow.
Our money, our talents, and inner riches are meant for us to enjoy and use to help others.
Resources:
Meyers, Joyce. The Secret to True Happiness: Enjoy Today, Embrace Tomorrow. FaithWords, New York, NY. ©2008.
Rivadeneira, Caryn Dahlstrand. Mama’s Got a Fake I.D.: How to Reveal the Real You Behind All That Mom. Waterbook Press, Colorado Springs, CA. ©2009.
A Creative Voice Beckons 