How Vivian Found Her Hidden Talent

Do you ever wonder what God-given talents you possess but find them hidden from your view? Do you ever wonder how your life experience would be different if you could discover them? This is the story of one young woman who discovered her hidden talent, a turning point that became one for me and others as well.

The congregation in our El Cajon church was placed under my care as evangelist for the San Diego area churches. One Sunday morning while serving the congregation in the morning service, I was prompted to focus the sermon on the gifts that God gave to each individual for the purpose of serving all. I explained that we sometimes overlook a talent God gave us for a number of reasons. It may be fear of failure, or fear of criticism, or maybe just thinking there was something about exercising a talent that was uncomfortable. Sometimes it is a hidden talent we never thought we possessed.

I encouraged the church family to explore their talents and even ask a fellow member their perspective of a talent we thought we had, hoped to have or didn’t know we had. I urged them to take courage and apply it in the congregation and thereby be a blessing for the family.
The service concluded and I greeted each of the members at the back of the church. One of the young adult members, Vivian, told me that she always wanted to do the flowers that weekly adorned the altar. She confessed she was reluctant because she didn’t see herself as talented as those who usually took turns doing them.

I suggested she ask one of the ladies who normally did the flowers to mentor her and teach her how best to exercise her desire to learn flower arranging and hopefully discover her talent.

Some weeks passed and once again I was serving in El Cajon. I made my preparations prior to the service and walked out of the sacristy to begin the service. On my way to the altar I passed the offering box and put in my offering. I looked up the center aisle and saw the altar arrayed in the most beautiful flower arrangement. It was so impressive it virtually took my breath away. I continued my walk up the aisle to the altar, and offered up a silent prayer as the congregation sang the opening hymn. I proceeded with the sermon.

At the conclusion of the service, I once again greeted the members. Eventually, I greeted Vivian.

I said to her, “Vivian, I want to show you something very special. Please come with me.”

Together we walked up the center aisle to the front of the altar.

I said, “Vivian, look at this amazing flower arrangement. When I first saw it, my soul was touched and it took my breath away. This would be a great model for you to follow as you develop your desired skills in the art of flower arranging.”

I looked into Vivian’s eyes and saw tears welling up that caused me to wonder if I had said something to make her sad.

When she composed herself, she humbly smiled and said, “I did these flowers.”

I embraced her and expressed how proud I was that she was able to find in herself such God-given talent. She said that she had worked with one of the ladies as I had suggested and found the courage that weekend to do the flowers for Sunday’s service.

From that moment on, Vivian was a regular contributor to decorating the altar with her amazing flower arranging talent. Some years later Vivian moved with her family to Orange County and was a member in our church in Anaheim.

One Sunday morning I was serving in the Anaheim congregation and once again the theme of the sermon was finding your hidden God-given talents. After the service I was greeting the members. A young woman said to me that she always wanted to be able to have the talent to decorate the altar with beautiful flower arrangements. No sooner did the words come across her lips, I spotted Vivian a few feet away.

I said to the woman, “Come with me, you need to meet someone.”

We walked over to Vivian and I said, “This is Vivian. She has a story to tell you about decorating the altar with flowers.”

Vivian and I knowingly smiled at each other and the two women went off to share Vivian’s experience in El Cajon years before.

Months later, I again served in Anaheim and witnessed the results of new found flower arranging talent in an amazing display of flowers at the altar.

Turning Points

Vivian’s turning point moment was a life changing event for her that opened a whole new way of expressing her faith and love for God and His family. It further encouraged her to try new things and investigate other talents that lay hidden in her heart. It was a further revelation when she was able to share her turning point and help another find hers.

My turning point came when I experienced how one little word of encouragement led to multiple life changing turning points for those with whom we share our life.

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