A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other…It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. – 1 Corinthians 12: 7 and 11 (NIV)

Each of us.  Not just a few, but each of us.

Gifted.

Uniquely gifted.

This specific girl was gifted with words.  Writing. Speaking. Communicating.

I so very much enjoy the gifts of others – music is my passion, I’m intrigued by those who can deal with any kind of math past the third grade level, and to watch athletes in-motion takes my breath away.

When I grow up, I want to be one of those people who are gifted in organization.  I want to rise at 6 a.m. and have time with God then go for a run – and be showered by 7:30 when my crew of three under six years hits the floor.

I will have labels for each organized bin in the pantry and our storage area will wear them as well.  There will not be “organized piles” of clutter sitting around my kitchen but instead a system that really, truly works.

Laundry will be immediately folded and put away.

I will not find a green bean on the top step at 9 a.m. leftover, I presume, from last night’s dinner.

But I will still possess the gift of words.  Of speaking.  Of communicating.

I’ve tried to break-free of this blessing-sometimes-disguised-as-a-curse because I’m in a season of life when the luxury of time for writing is at a premium – but try as I may, I can’t shake it.

After speaking with other writers, it’s evident to me that I’m not alone in this plight of the written and spoken word for they are a river that flows through the heart of each one of us.

There are, of course, those perfect days in which the water moves swiftly and flows freely while the sun shines.  The inspiration is abundant, thoughts pour onto the screen, and we see hope.  He reminds me of the beauty of this gift when the river is swift.

And I thank.

Yet there are also days when I find myself in a violent rapid and I can’t get to my keyboard fast enough – it’s not a leisurely, quiet-type of writing but an absolute need – as critical as food and water.  I have to release it or the rapids will flood my soul. He reminds me of the dire need of this gift.

And I thank.

The river twists and turns, there might be a dead-end here and there.  It’s not obvious to where the river is going nor if it’s going anywhere at all.  The rejection of my words stings every single time and yet it’s guaranteed to occur with this particular gift.  He reminds me that I write for an audience of one.  Just one.

And I thank.

Quiet and still days.  When I can breathe.  When I can explore a topic and sink my heart into something I’ve been stewing upon.  The gift of time.  He reminds me of the still waters He provides, the time to languidly explore words and link them together on a canvas depicting a scene of beauty.  He reminds me of his love.

And I thank.

The river sometimes dries-up.  There’s a drought and try as I may to pour buckets on this parched land, I realize that my efforts are futile.  He will provide the living waters on His time, not mine.  He reminds me it’s about His plan, not mine, and sometimes we are simply called to rest.  Just rest.

And I thank.

The river is continuous – it won’t ever leave the pathway through my heart and yes, I thank.  I thank on the days of a swift current, on the days of rapids, on the days of the twists and the turns, the days of the still waters, and the days of drought.  For just as actual river currents are determined by their surroundings, the currents of the river through my heart are determined by my Lord.

And I thank.

Remember when I highlighted this breath-taking book back in February? Author Ann Voskamp, who also encourages my weekly countdown of gratitudes on Mondays, is giving away a scholarship to the “She Speaks” Conference sponsored by Proverbs 31 Ministries.  “She Speaks” is a conference for women who feel called to write, speak, and/or lead – to equip, empower, encourage, and to energize and a place to meet others of the same gift. If you would also like to apply for this scholarship, please visit Ann for more details.