I’m so glad I saw potential in this dog. Her presence in our lives is a blessing everyday.
We have a little dog named Piper. She was for adoption at he Oconee Fall Festival and I just couldn’t help myself. She was a little older. She hung her head down. She looked like she had recently had puppies. She was skinny. Something about this dog called to me. All I could see when I looked at her was potential. I knew in my heart, with a little love and nurture that she would be a great dog.
My hubby wasn’t so sure, but he reluctantly agreed. She ended up having heart worms, so that was an ordeal in itself. But, boy was I right. Piper loves every member of our family. She loves to snuggle. She loves being near us. When I write, wherever she is in the house, she comes and lies on her bed near my chair. She brightens everyone’s day. Her presence in our home is a blessing.
What would have happened to her if I hadn’t spotted her if I hadn’t seen her potential? I shudder to think about it. My hubby commented the other day on how pretty and shiny she is now and how nicely she has filled out. He said he could hardly believe that she had once been so ugly.
I was shocked. Ugly? He thought she was ugly? Scrawny maybe, beat down, certainly, but ugly? I never saw her that way. I just saw an animal in need of some love.
People are no different. I was recently talking to a little girl at school and I told her that she was  beautiful. She didn’t hesitate to tell me she was not. I told her she was wrong. She told me that she had been called ugly her entire life. She’s ten. Who says that to a child? I assured her that the people who had told her that, obviously didn’t know what they were talking about. She smiled a little at that and now when I see her, she sits up a little taller.
I was helping a boy the other day, practice on the computer for the CRCT. He struggles with reading and has a horrible home life. When I would read the question to him, he knew the answer. He just struggled with the reading part. I whispered to him after working with him for a while that he really is smart. You should have seen his big smile. He was beaming. I don’t know that anyone ever said that to him before.
I have seen adults blossom with some encouragement as well. There are so many talented people walking around out there who are too self-conscious or frightened to share their God-given gifts. Fear comes from the enemy of God’s people. We are all given gifts and talents that are unique to each individual. We are called to use them.
They may be as simple as being a good listener or a good organizer. You may be a good artist or a good builder. You may be an awesome banjo player. There is something that you are really good at. If you are using that talent to serve God in some way, good for you. Keep at it. If you are not, let me be the first to say, you are needed. Say a prayer. Take a deep breath and get going.
If you have no idea what you have to offer, let me reassure you, you have something special. Pray about it. God will point you in the right direction. Jesus calls us to love one another. Let’s use our talents to spread the love.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂