I see the gifting.

As we pass the midway point in our third week of shelter-in-place, I have spent far more time at home than I think I ever have. In this time, I have been blessed to have more time to spend with family. Reclaiming an hour of commute time every day plus the occasional 5-10 minute break times and a lunchtime really add up on the quality time meter. 

All of this extra has allowed me to see how God has gifted our kids. Being able to see it consistently over time gives me an opportunity to help encourage and grow them in their gifting. Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

I believe that “the way he should go” has been established by God long before they are sitting in our living room playing with their cars. God has established a calling and a destiny for their life and gifted them to walk in that calling fully. Part of our role as parents is to observe our kids, identify their gifts, and encourage and develop them in those gifts.

As I have been home, I have seen both Nicole and Jonah grow as little helpers around the house. For the past few weeks, I have been using the spare bedroom as my office. Usually, at least once a day I hear the little steps of joyful kids walking down the hallway toward the door. (You know that sound that kids make when they’re up to something? Yes, that’s the sound they make.) I will then hear a tiny gentle voice on the other side of the door saying “knock, knock.” 

I eagerly answer the door and I find kids who are joyfully excited to see men. Nicole will walk in and set a napkin down on my desk and then place a spoon on top of it. Right behind her will be Jonah with one of his own small spoons which he will also sacrificially hand over to me. And then right behind them will be Erica with a brownie on a plate. They were so excited to watch me eat the brownie. And let me tell you, I am so excited to eat the brownie!

In this, I see their desire and ability to joyfully serve. Maybe they have the gift of service or the gift of hospitality. One thing is for sure, we will keep our eyes open and help train them up in these gifts so they are fully developed when it is time for them to walk in their calling. 

Another example that I’ve seen is at the dinner table. Somehow in the last week or two, the amount of “Thank you’s” that have come from both Nicole and Jonah are astounding. We seem to get thank you’s for everything. “Thank you, mommy, for this yummy food.” “Thank you for more ketchup.” “Thank you for more tea (that’s a story for another blog).” 

It seems like Nicole all of a sudden “got it” when it comes to being thankful and grateful for the little things. Jonah is following suit by announcing his “Thank you, Dada.” Or “Thank you Mama” with a loud enthusiastic voice. It’s quite fun. They are enthusiastically grateful - we need to keep that going!

Third, as the weather has been nice, we spend more time outside in the driveway playing. As the shelter in place is introducing Texans to a concept most of us know as cabin fever, we are seeing more and more people on walks around the neighborhood. Whenever someone walks by our house both Nicole and Jonah stop what they are doing (it seems like they can spot people a mile away) and wave and yell “Hi!” And “Hello!” To whoever is walking by. 

Again, is this the gift of hospitality? Maybe it is them loving their neighbor. Either way, we want to keep pouring into these traits that we see so that they are ready for whatever God has for them in their lives. Yes, shelter in place can be a drag at times but God knows how to turn things around to use them to accomplish His work.

What kinds of gifts do you see your kids, grandkids or nieces and nephews? How do you encourage them?