Got Talent? 

I got nothin’

Those are words I would tell myself regarding my “talents” or “gifts.”  “I am not really talented.”  “What sort of tangible talent do I have?”  “None.”  “Nada.” “Nothing.”  “I got NOTHIN’!”

God was handing out all the talent and forgot to give me some.

With those words ringing in my head for years and years, I am in major conflict.  How could this be?  My faith taught me more than that.  My faith taught me I was unique and special and wonderfully made.  Yet, where in the world is my talent?  Maybe, just maybe, God forgot about me!

I fondly remember an event of my childhood when my mom bought a new Singer sewing machine.  It was the newest, latest, greatest machine on the planet.  That thing could practically sew by itself – or at least that’s what my 12-year-old self remembers.  Wow was that thing super fantastic.  Had all these buttons and special settings for all kinds of different stitches.  It was the bomb!  So, my mother sent me to take sewing lessons.  Mind you, I am the kid that wanted to take ballet, but okay we’ll go with sewing. 

Nevertheless, I went to this class, I sewed, did exactly what they told me to do and I made my pair of red culottes.  (For those who may not know what culottes are, think of today’s boy’s basketball shorts.)   Every seam and every stitch was perfect!  And, yes, I wore them for as long as they fit.

I learned to use the machine, although beyond that class didn’t make anything else.  In my twenties my grandmother bought me a sewing machine.  Used it some to make the occasional valence/window covering or pillow now and again.  Beyond that, cutting out a pattern and all that just did not appeal to me.  Hemming a pair of pants – no thanks!!  There is nothing in that process that excites me.  While I love the finished product, there is no great joy for me in the process of making the product.  It is a chore.

However, my younger sister, now that’s another story.  She loved that sewing machine and she could stay up for hours and hours making things.  In fact, she still has that machine and while she’s gotten a tad too busy to use it of late, every time I am at her house and go into the room where it is stored, I hear it calling her name – not mine, hers!   Boy do I have to have a talk with her about that – it is time to get old Singer running!

When we were kids, at any given time day or night, wee hours of the morning you could hear the purring of that machine.  She ran that machine as fast as it would go, to great delight of my father.   It reminded him of his grandmother peddling her machine as fast as it would go.  Interesting how my sister wasn’t the one who took the lessons, I was, but she was the one who knew how to run it best.  God had given her the love and talent of constructing something.  In her case, it’s not about just sewing, it’s about design/construction/textiles, etc.  It truly is her gift, which carries over into other design aspects such as designing a chicken coop!   

Don’t spend your time comparing your gifts to someone else’s

My sister was the one who loved making Barbie clothes with both of our grandmothers.  Oh, yes, I chimed in and those are some of my fondest memories as a child, in my grandmother’s basement making Barbie clothes with my cousins.  It was fun, but it was not my “gift” and did not bring me to a state of elation; but for her, she was her happiest playing, creating, building, sewing, etc. 

I spent many years comparing myself to my sister’s love of creating things and wondering why I didn’t have the same abilities as her….because I’m not her and my talents lie elsewhere.  My parents didn’t recognize what I recognize now, that it was my sister needed to take those sewing lessons, not me.  She should have made her career in some area of design – that is her gift, creating and putting it all together. 

As parents, we sometimes overlook our child’s talents.  We try to push them into something we wish we had done.  We push them to go to the college we went to or send them where we wished we had gone when it really is not their dream or their desire – it’s ours. 

What Did You Think? 

Let Us Know Your Thoughts on Today's Post

Post Your Comments Below

Are We Connected on Twitter? | Come Write on My Facebook Wall!

Rochelle is a no nonsense, tell it like it is, single mom.  Her favorite saying is, "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining."  For the past 11 years, Rochelle has been raising her four kids by herself.  Now ranging in age from 22 to 12, they are all happy, healthy and well adjusted.  Single parents are near and dear to her, and her heart is to share those tips she's learned in this decade journey to help others make the best of and enjoy parenting – especially single parenting.  Rochelle is also a business woman who keeps very busy working full time, finishing her degree in Business and Sociology, starting a business, sponsoring a Varsity cheer squad and volunteering.  Her greatest love, however, is just being a mom.

{ 1 comment }