Finding my Giftedness

While meeting with Steve Elliott, my field supervisor for Church Assistance Ministry (CAM) last week he made a brief but powerful statement to me.  After two full months of interning with CAM under Steve’s leadership and being mentored by him for over three years, Steve affirmed what I believe in my heart and what I have prayed many times.  At times we feel something in our heart that we know is true, and we think God has affirmed it, yet the world does not always agree with that feeling.  Well, while meeting with Steve last week, he affirmed a belief I have in myself that has very rarely been affirmed by the world. 

After Steve read and article I wrote reading my weekly reflections, he said, “You have a real gift in writing.”  Then he went on to explain that I am very skilled at observing circumstances and situations, seeing a leadership principle in those situations, explaining that principle well in written form, and finding relevant illustrations to back up the principle. This was in response to a five page, 2,700 word article I wrote for Steve and CAM entitled, The Impact of Coaching. 

This was encouraging to hear since I have loved creating content in written and verbal form for several years, but when I create that content and share it with others, it is not always accepted well.

Interning with CAM is helping to encourage my giftedness by exposing my work to a veteran leader who has mentored many young leaders in his life, which gives him good skill to recognize gifts and strengths when he seems them.