Today was the first day of The 30-Day Giving Challenge, and I woke up bright and early to make sure I got my give done. See, I wanted to surprise my co-workers with hot apple cider and warm muffins for our staff meeting at 9:30. This sounds easy enough, except that the recipe I chose needed to be in the crockpot for two to three hours. Um, that meant I needed to start it at by 6:30…in the morning. And, I didn’t think I could transport liquid safely in my car. So, I needed to get it going at 6:30 IN the office. Fortunately, my office is literally seven minutes from my house. So, I got up and hopped in the van and ran over to the office to start the cider. Don’t tell anybody, but I went in my PJs and sweatshirt. I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to run into anyone at that hour. Then, I came home and made the muffins. By the time staff meeting started, we had a lovely spread!

Now, truly, this was an easy give for me. I had to start out with something easy, right? And baking is easy for me. Doesn’t take me much effort at all. In fact, when people fuss about how I make good food etc, I usually scoff and say “Oh, it’s no big deal.”

However, something I heard in yesterday’s sermon is really sticking with me today. God gives us each special gifts. Duh, kinda knew that preacher man. So, my ability to bake and feed the masses – that’s a gift. Well, ya I guess so. So, when I scoff and say “It’s no big deal,” I’m not honoring that gift. I’m not honoring the One who gave me the gift to make yummy muffins. Oh, wow, well, that brings a whole different light to it doesn’t. In fact, when I say “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m not that good a cook,” really I’m showing false humility. Really, I’m lying aren’t I. I can make some tasty treats, and I KNOW it. To deny it is actually being false. Now that just hits you right in the gut! Wow! And then WOW again. Yesterday’s sermon hit me on SO MANY levels. This is the piece that sticks with me the most. God has given me gifts, and He wants to use those gifts to glorify Him. When someone acknowledges a gift, say thank you and give credit where credit is due.

We decided as a small group tonight to continue investigating our spiritual gifts. I can’t wait to see what God shows us through this time. I wonder how else He can use me?