What is my gift?

So I was watching Oprah on Master Class last night and I must admit, I was quite moved.  I know a great number of people who think she is a cuckoo, who became crazy and sailed of with her spiritual "mother ship" a long time ago.  But I have watched her behind the scenes show this season and have heard her discuss her life as a child and I am amazed at how she pulled her self up from poverty, abuse, and a family who never truly wanted her to become the most wealthy and powerful female on television.  Listening to her tell her story last night, I was more impressed with her than ever before.  She said she knew she was destined for greatness as a young child.  She said she always felt God's hand working in her life and she knew when to stop..and listen..and follow.  She said "to whom much is given, much is required" and that she decided to dedicate her show and her life to hearing others, telling them they are not alone, and hopefully leaving the world a better place.  This is why she is a superstar.  Not because of the big stars that came on her show, but because she listened, cared, and tried to help in some way.  But the thing that moved me most is her words on having a gift.  She talked about finding that gift deep within her and realizing that she was called to use that gift.  Then I began thinking...what is my gift?
We are preparing to move to a town where I know or am related to NO one.  In all honesty, we are moving because we believe it is God's will for us and we are trying to "listen" and obey.  We were not seeking a job in Kansas City, but it was the third offered to us in a calendar year away from Lexington.  The other two were overseas.  We said no to the Philippines, no to Budapest, and then came Kansas City.  "Is God trying to tell us something?" we asked one another.  Who gets three job offers in a year without applying for a single one?  So we are about to embark on an adventure. 
This adventure is by no means going smoothly.  We have yet to sell this house, we have yet to find a church, and we are moving a full month later than was supposed to happen.  This has been a real lesson in patience, relying on God's time and will instead of our own.  I am anxious, excited, scared and deeply saddened all at the same time.  We are leaving the familiar, the comfortable, for the unknown, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable. I have to believe this is God's will or I will go crazy right now. 
I taught for nine years of my life.  My identity was wrapped up in that job.  I know that I was good at it.  Students told me, colleagues told me.  I even got a job critiquing student teachers and offering advice on ways to be more successful in the classroom.  But is that my gift? Wouldn't I know that if it was?  I took time off with both children because I believed (and still do) that if it is possible financially to do, that it is the better for the children to be in the home for the early years. Not that I blame parents who don't or can't, because it is not possible for all.  It has been a great sacrifice and there are many days I wished I worked out of the home, but there will be a season for that as well.  But is mothering  my "gift"?  Doesn't seem that way  because there sure are a lot of days I don't feel so great at it.  I only pray that I raise children who care enough to think about and use their gifts for the greater good as well.
I am not crafty, I am not the best cook, I don't love party planning...I could go on and on.  Oddly enough, I won the award for most talented in my high school, but that was for singing (and I assure you, I could not win American Idol, but it was a small school).  I feel like I am good, but not great at a lot of things.  I plan to really work on this while I am in Kansas.  I am calling it a fresh start.  I want to use my talents for God's glory and to make the world better while I am here.  The first step is really thinking about those talents and how I can use them for the better.  Perhaps it is blogging...not because I am a great writer, but because one person might just read this and think about how to use their gifts as well.  Maybe being good, not great is a gift in itself because it lets others know that they are not alone.  So I ask you...what is your gift?  Are you using it for God's glory?  Are you using it to make the world a better place?  Are you trying to figure it out now (like me)?  
Till next time,
Angie

Matthew 25: 14-30
The Parable of the Talents


14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants [1] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, [2] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. [3] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’