Embracing Your Gifts

Hi friend, I'm Kylie, a farm wife and foster mom. Growing up I was a gifted-ish athlete. Partially because I was 5’10 by 5th grade and partially because of my background and the fact I don’t remember a time sports did not play a huge role in my life.

I played just about every sport there is at least one time in my life. When I reached Junior High, I settled on Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball; and played all the way through my senior year. The point is, I was gifted in athletics. The funny thing is, I have always had a passion for music and actually played the drums/piano in the 5th-grade band...I quit after the fifth grade.

I distinctly remember this moment. After struggling all year and being behind everyone else (I joined about two months after the school year began, because they were looking for one more drummer.) My band teacher, who was extremely talented and led the Parkway Band to all kinds of victories, yelled across the room,

“Snyder, why haven’t you purchased your new band book for next year?”

My face grew red in an instant. I had never quit anything in my life. I felt the disappointment already. So through a quavery voice and tears forming in my eyes, I responded, “I am not playing next year.”

It was the worst moment in my little 5th-grade life. I remember being so disappointed in myself for not being good enough, for not working hard enough. When in reality it was an actual smart decision, because that summer I was asked to be on an All-Star travel team for both basketball and softball and I was never home. I was literally living in the family van eating McDonald’s for just about every meal and I was livin’ and lovin’ life.

The funny thing about this story is is that I actually study piano in my spare time and have taken lessons in my adult life, because I love the beautiful instrument so much I wish I could just whip out songs on the fly, but it is not my natural gift, so I have to work hard at it.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” - 1 Peter 4:10

Use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace. I know now, that God has given me gifts that draw people in.

He has given me a personality that people can relate to. He has given me the gifts and abilities to connect with the lost and the found.

About two years ago, I made a promise to God that I would use the gifts He has blessed me with, to bring honor and glory to His name. He is the reason I am not afraid to embarrass myself or try new things. He is the reason I can get up in front of people and speak to His name. He is the reason I thrive when I have no business to thrive.

I have been created to be awkward to reach the awkward. I have been created on purpose and with purpose. We all have been created on purpose and with purpose.

Want to see more of Kylie? Follow her Instagram here and read her blog here.

About the author: Kylie Owens

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