Unique Gifts
Pictured above is a letter from the late minister & author Jack Exum Sr., who spoke at the church I attended as a child.
Building this website is a big project for me. I feel great about putting my creative “stuff” in some kind of organized format but I’ve got my work cut out for me. As organized as I keep my business life, my creative life is more or less an overflowing explosion. I’ve got songs, poems, and musings scattered here, there, and everywhere. I have many songs written but not recorded and many that are recorded, but not necessarily well.
It’s also always a bit intense digging up old stuff. It brings up mixed emotions. In some ways, it’s best to let things go once you’ve expressed them. On the other hand, I feel compelled to start sharing my creations more. I also feel directed to make proper recordings of all of my songs and to write more.
It recently occurred to me that many of the things I do well, many other people can do just as well, if not better. Yes, everything we contribute can be an offering to the world, but I should be especially focusing on developing what I am UNIQUELY EQUIPPED to give. I felt a sudden need to prioritize engagement with my unique gifts.
God didn’t give me these gifts to collect dust sitting on a shelf somewhere. And the development process doesn’t need to be an ego-play, either. That has always tripped me up. I don’t want my ego messing with my muse. I’m not trying to show off. The truth is, if I was, this thing would never get off the ground. My ego would sabotage it somehow - this would probably take some form of “You’re not good enough" or “You CAN’T do this,” for whatever reason. So God must have a hand in this project for it to work.
The fact of the matter is, to share my heart with you is actually my calling. I share my heart best through words and music. I believe this to be my unique gift. Someone else saw it when I was pretty young.
While I was going through files last night, looking for songs to add, I came across a letter from a Christian minister named Jack Exum, Sr., who visited my church when I was a child. My mom must have given him some of my poetry. Here is what Jack Exum, Sr., wrote to me when I was 8 years old:
“God has given you a rare gift- not just to write poetry but to put into words the beauty of life, the wonder of his grace, and the understanding of his love. So write, and write, and write, and in between, read and think. You are destined to be a great woman. Be humble before God. Turn away from earthly fame and honor and it will seek you out and crown you with it.”
There is a lot here. First of all, Jack identified my gift right away. This confirmed to me my current focus on developing my unique abilities is appropriate. This minister- a man who walked closely with God- recognized my gift when I was 8 years old and thought enough of it to write me this letter. That’s something for me to pay attention to.
Jack then told me to write, read, and think. This is what I’ve been doing. How interesting.
Here’s the part that really got me, though: “You are destined to be a great woman.” Hmm. No pressure.
At 8 years old, I had no idea what becoming a woman meant or how hard it would be to be one. I certainly don’t always behave like a “Great Woman.” Even living in one of the best countries in which to be a woman, being a woman in this world is so very hard. 1992 was a different world. Here we are 30 years later, in 2022. Modern women have many similar challenges, but also new ones, along with new opportunities.
What is a “Great Woman,” exactly? I can certainly think of women I admire and apprise as “Great.” But can I live up to this prediction? Can I embody the “Great Woman” he saw in my teleology- the person he saw an 8-year-old, poetry writing girl becoming one day? I pray I can be that woman.
And then, of course, there is Jack’s final instruction: “Turn away from earthly fame and honor and it will seek you out and crown you with it.” Well, the paparazzi aren’t exactly chasing me down but this line deeply speaks to me as well. To me, it says “Turn away from superficial concerns. Truly, do not be concerned with doing what you think you need to do to please other people. Do not ‘gain the world and lose your soul.’ “
To “gain the world” is a temptation for each and every human being. Whatever “the world” represents to each of us. We all want what we want. Sometimes what we want is attention from others. I hear Jack saying, don’t worry about that. That’s none of your business. You don’t need to chase that attention. Let God bring it to you.
Overall, the main points I took from Jack’s letter are:
Be aware of your unique gift
Develop/share your unique gift
Let God handle the rest
These principles can be applied to you, as well.
Here are some questions for your own personal reflection:
Questions for YOU
EVERYONE has unique gifts. Have you identified yours? If not, what might yours be?
2. How can you offer your gifts to God or to others?
3. What is “The World” to you?
4. Who do you view as a “Great Woman?” or a “Great Man?”
Thank you for your interest in my writing and thoughts. This website will be an ongoing work in progress but I am devoted to giving it the intention and attention it deserves.
