Secret Gifts

I know it is still near enough to Christmas for you to think of that, but
that is not the point I am trying to make here. It's that sometimes life
gives you a surprise and you discover a gift you never knew you had. God's
word puts it this way, "And we know that God causes everything to work
together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his
purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT)

About 20 years ago when we were missionaries to Kenya, East Africa I lost
about 50% of my hearing. I had malaria (this was one of many times) and the
doctor put me on pure quinine for an extended period of time. The results
were that it burned out the nerves in my ears and thus the hearing loss.

I never really thought much about it; you just live with it and get on with
life. Thankfully the latest pair of digital hearing aids have restored my
hearing to almost normal levels.

Through the years as I struggled to stay in touch with the world I slowly
picked up the ability to read lips. Granted, not as well as someone who had
actual training, but enough to pick up lots of lost words and conversations.
Again, this is not something I ever thought about; it just was part of life.

We have had one of our elderly members of our church in the hospital for the
past two weeks, much of that time in an induced coma. She is out of the coma
and beginning a very difficult recovery period. She has a tracheotomy which
keeps her from being able to speak and is unable to control a pencil well
enough to write.

When my wife and I visited yesterday, this sister was trying unsuccessfully
to communicate. It was frustrating to her and to her family and the nurses.
What a surprise when I discovered that I could read her lips and make her
needs known to the nurses and her family. I admit it was a struggle and she
had to say some of the words several times, but we found out where she was
hurting and what she needed at the time and were able to get her some help.
We even were able to answer some of her questions.

I wonder how many of you who read these words have secret or maybe hidden
gifts, simply because you have never tried to use them. Or perhaps you have
never been forced into a situation where they can be put to use. Maybe you
need to get out of your comfort zone and try to expand your gifts.

I wonder what God has prepared for you in your life? What's your secret
gift? You see, even when things seem like they are a disaster in your life,
there can be a hidden (secret) gift found there. Maybe you need to try new
things, maybe things you are just a little hesitant to try. The results may
surprise you as it did me! A hearing impairment as a blessing to someone
else, I never would have thought of that! But as Paul said, "we know that
God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God."

Russ Lawson