Going Against Talents

In high school, I felt a huge desperation to try and fit in with the "cool" crowd. In my opinion, the "cool" crowd, also known as the popular crowd, were the athletes in my school. They received all the attention and people just seemed to know who they were. I wanted that.

For much of my high school career, I tried desperately to be good at sports. In middle school I was a member of the volleyball, basketball, and track teams, but was definitely not a stand out star. I decided to try some different sports in high school. From powerlifting, soccer, and cross country...none of them provided me with what I had hoped for.

Luckily for me, I did discover something I was naturally good at in high school: public speaking and horseback riding. It hasn't been until nearly 4 years after my high school graduation that I have come to appreciate my God-given talents. Sometimes I think back to how I wish I could have focused more on the things that I was naturally good at because who knows where they could have taken me. And since then, I've learned a lot more about myself and what I am naturally good at.

Everyone hass a natural talent. Do not go against it. Who knows where it can end up taking you. You know yourself better than anyone so do not let a person or other people guide the path you take in life. Use your God-given talents. Love them. Appreciate them. I wish I figured this out sooner than I did. I learned that what I wanted in the beginning turned out to be something I would not have truly wanted. Fitting in turned out to be a lot better because I was (and still am) surrounded by people who could positively influence my natural talents and help me improve them.

Two Horses

The following story is an email I received from a good friend of mine.


"Two Horses"
(Author Unknown)

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. but if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse, will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.



This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter, is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then, slowly, walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops, occasionally, and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.



Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect, or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us, and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes, we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those whom God places in our lives. Other times,we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.

Good friends are like that... You may not always see them, but you know they are always there!

Please listen for my bell, and I'll listen for yours.

And remember...
Be kinder than necessary. Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly...

And leave the rest to God! For we walk by faith, and not by sight. Amen.