Providence 365 -Week 28

What’s in your stick bag?

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Friday and Saturday, I sat in a concert hall and listened to incredible performances, presented by awesome and talented young musicians. Each musician had a part to play, a gift to share. I sat in awe as I watched a talented percussionist play the xylophone & marimba (and other instruments) with such passion and joy.

We each have gifts and are to use those gifts to serve. Notice the “s” on gifts. Yes, we have more than one – and not everyone was blessed with the same set of gifts. Can you imagine if the musicians in the orchestras and ensembles I listened to all played the same instrument and played the exact same score, same notes, same octaves. While I have no doubt the music would have been lovely, it would have quickly become old. The musical value would diminish over time.
The percussionist I mentioned is my daughter. I was literally moved to tears when it hit me how far she has come with her gift. When she opens her stick bag – it is filled with many mallets, sticks and other items that allow her to play a variety of instruments. I look at them and to the untrained eye (mine) they all look the same. Yet she knows that each one has a different and specific purpose and can be used to make beautiful music for others to enjoy.

She has many gifts. In addition to being a talented musician, she has already shown she can be a leader, a teacher, a compassionate caregiver and so much more. What a blessing to watch her grow and mature – to watch her unwrap new gifts ~ adding those to her own personal “stickbag” each day. She is learning when and how to use those gifts and is already starting to use them to serve others.

We each have a part to play in life’s orchestra. Each part is different yet played together, we make beautiful music. What gifts are in your stick bag? Do you know how to use them and what to use them for? What gifts are waiting for you to unwrap? And will you use them to serve others?

Here is my gift for you today - an overlay for your 12x12 layout. Use your “digi” gifts to create a layout showcasing your own gifts – or those of someone you love. (try reducing the opacity or even change the color to make this overlay perfect for your unique layout.)

You may download it here >>> here






We started the Providence 365 journey at the start of this calendar year. Each week Barbara (of Precepts and Promises) provide you with a prompt and a “gift” for you to create layouts to help you see and document God’s Providence in your own life. It is never too late to start. Each week thus far can be found in the Providence 365 forum at Faith Sisters >>>>>here.

Wishing you a blessed week.