YOU are God’s gift to the world

                      artist Simon Dewey

I haven't had the worst life in the world. In fact, all things considered, it's been pretty good. It started a little bumpy. I almost wasn't born. My parents split up before I was a twinkle in their eye and then they tried to reunite and well, they got me. There is a dispute over whether or not I was "wanted." And that's all I'll say about that. When I was about 4, my parents and my older brother were baptized. I remember sitting on someone's lap and watching. I remember my daddy carrying me into church in a dress.

When I was 5, there were big ugly fights, custody battles, bad adult behavior. And it ended with my brother and me being "illegally transported" out of the state. Although, at the time, it was not a Federal crime. My mother worked hard to make sure that it was in the future. As in now. So, I grew up without a mom. There was abuse before the split up and some after. Even though the adults thought I did not miss my mom, the fact is, I did. Maybe I missed being a family. Good or bad, it was my family.

My dad was a good dad. I knew he loved me. He did his best. My brother, as tumultuous as it was to have an older brother; also loved me. He gave himself permission to beat up on me, but watch out if anyone else did! My Granny and my dear auntie Mo were there as back up moms. They taught me the feminine skills that I had when I left home. I am grateful for their influence.

But, I came away from my childhood with a very keen poor self worth. I thought I was ugly and dumb and worthless. But, I had a happy personality and I got along. Those untruthful labels got a real beating, when at 19, my briefly renewed relationship with my mother ended tragically, at her own hand. I plunged into a quiet depression I am pretty sure most people weren't aware of. Maybe it wasn't depression. But I felt responsible for my mother's death and I was very sad for almost a full year.

Fast forward through marriage, motherhood, lessons, successes, failures to a few years ago. I had found and learned and been applying a new tool. EFT. I have no idea what I was working on, but I was using a book of affirmations to replace the negative with positive. I did not expect the one I came upon which not only stopped me in my tracks, but caused me to weep. "I am God's gift to the world." I immediately knew it was true, and my heart expanded at the knowledge. I pondered on it for quite some time before it really became a part of me. I thought about my Savior Jesus Christ.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God gave His Son as a gift to the world. He created an amazing plan for all of us to return to Him and he put all of His effort into one solution. To save the world. I thought about that. I thought about the children I had been putting so much effort into to rear and train and eventually send out into the world. I thought how my efforts were a gift to the world, and how I desperately wanted each of my dear offspring to succeed; to become what they were meant to be; and to change the world in the ways they are meant to. It made perfect sense. God gave His only begotten Son for a purpose. And each of His other billions of children who came into the world are also a gift with a purpose; to bless the lives of others.

It's kind of crazy, but it took me awhile to extrapolate my new found joy to others. I'm a little slow sometimes. So, on occasion, I had the opportunity to be at the right place and the right time, in someone's presence who needed the message I had found for myself. And I have shared with that person in that moment, that THEY are also God's gift to the world.

It did not occur to me until last week at the Master of Influence seminar, as we were assigned to share "our" message, that this *IS* my message. To share with any who need or any I come in contact with, that they are each uniquely God's gift to the world. Have you ever considered that? YOU, right there, sitting in your chair or at your desk, YOU have unique gifts and talents given only to you, to change the lives of others in ways, that NO ONE ELSE CAN!!!

Kirk Duncan told us at the seminar that inspiration minus expression equals depression. Wow! What an insight. How often do we have something to say and for whatever reason, we do not express it? How do YOU feel when that happens? Depressed is my guess.

So, don't do it anymore! What is your message? Please don't hide your light under a bushel. Some of God's children have some pretty big missions, and gifts to share. Others may have humble, quiet messages. Either way, you do have a purpose, a mission, a message. How are you God's gift to the world? Only you can answer that.

Fill in the blanks.

For God so loved the world, that He GAVE His (precious daughter/stalwart son) _______________ (insert your name), that whosoever (came in contact with) her/him, should have __________________ (fill in your purpose or mission).

ie,

For God so loved the world, that He gave His precious daughter Dawn, that whosoever became acquainted with her, should know that they are God's gift to the world.

OK. Now you know. And I promise to keep telling people, if you promise to do your part. 🙂 What do you think?