“If I for selfish reasons should cease to write, I steal from God the talent and from you the benefit.” Those words written by Walter Wangerin, Jr., stopped me cold. His column, “Thou Shalt Not Steal,” from the November 1994 issue of The Lutheran magazine is still pinned on my bulletin board.
A person must have talent to accomplish any endeavor. A teenager may be six-foot-two but no amount of instruction or practice can make a basketball player out of a boy or girl who doesn’t start with some natural ability for the game.
Talent may be limited. Our golden anniversary open house was enhanced by our friend, Roger, who plays classic country music in his spare time. During that Saturday afternoon, he strummed his guitar and sang hits by nationally famous performers including Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.
Utilizing our talents applies to more than writing stories, playing sports or singing songs. The women serving lunches in diners, driving school buses or performing surgeries use their talents to make a living.
Communities are formed by people with various talents. Persons endowed with leadership gifts step forward to be the mayors assisted by council members. Those who are particular about details become the clerks; math whizzes serve as treasurers.
Retirement may provide the free time needed for a person to develop latent talents. I’ve seen tests advertised that were supposed to reveal hidden talents, but I think by the time we’re older women, we know what we can do and what we can’t.
How do you use your talents?
Lolita, I am curious. You end each blog with a question. Does anyone ever send a comment/answer?
Yes. I have even heard from people I didn’t know.