received gifts...

Riding in the car...

talking to a loved one...

he shared what's been revealed in his heart...

Longing... that's the word that seems to fit best...

I long to help people who are broken... lost... hurting...

but I know I can't... and I'm just paralyzed...

I feel wholly inadequate... useless...

Listening to his heart...

placing my hand on his arm...

I said... That's a gift... a spiritual gift...

the gift of compassion... mercy...

And it reminded me...

when we receive Him in our hearts...

we receive gifts...

but we don't always recognize them...

or know what to do with them...

Spiritual gifts... take time to perceive...

and practice to learn how to use...

My word to the loved one was...

There is nothing you can do...

but you have the power of the One who can do all things... in you...

Like all of us... with spiritual gifts...

we can only use them... at His direction...

and in His power... for them to be a blessing...

to His Kingdom...

Returned gifts... from others...

can reveal... received gifts from Him...

What have others given you...?

does it help you see what you have received...?

The secret to spiritual gifts received...

is to return them to Him...

for His use... His direction... His guidance...

through you...

This can be difficult...

and involves dying to self...

to use His gifts... His way...

surrender... is the word...

He blesses us with gifts... freedoms...

so we can serve Him... through others...

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,

as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one

who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the 

strength that God supplies --- in order that in everything

God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory

and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV

Ask Him to help you recognize your gifts...

ask Him to teach you how to use them...

tell Him they are His... for His use...

Amen...