By Joanna McGowan

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,
as good stewards of God's varied grace.  -- 1 Peter 4:10

A talent is a gift. God gave it to you when you were born: a unique set of skills and abilities that set us apart from each other. Romans 12:6 tells us that we each have “different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” A talent is given, not learned, but it can be strengthened, practiced, and cultivated so that we can use it to glorify God. Our Lord wants us to feel whole and complete, and it is through the talents given to us that we find our unique calling in life.

When you discover the talents that God has given you and you use them to glorify Him, you will experience a full life. Our awesome God has created everyone with unique abilities. James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. As our children grow we can see these gifts develop and change into something beautiful.

Encourage your kids to use their talents to honor God, and don’t overlook the child who may have hidden talents. The more obvious gifts usually get the most praise like the gift of music, or maybe athleticism. But, what about the child who is loud and energetic? How can this possibly be a God-given gift? This could be the kid who grabs a bullhorn and enthusiastically hollers a testimony that touches lives on a future outreach. Maybe your child is quiet and sweet, with a caring and nurturing spirit. This one may be a vital asset in nursery or as a caregiver in children's church.

Do your children like to draw or do crafts? Maybe one day they will be helping paint backdrops for the next play or will wind up making excellent props for puppet skits. God works in different ways through each of us, and we all serve Him faithfully as we use our gifts to glorify him.

Sometimes we are not aware of the talents we have been given. Parents should help their children recognize their gifts and guide them in how they might put them to use to honor and serve God and one another. Be observant. Look for those opportunities to praise your children for even the smallest accomplishments. Watch their countenance change and their confidence grow. Parents should be their children's biggest fan. Life is hard, so be the cheerleader they need to get through it.

It’s easy to sit on the sidelines waiting for your kids to unexpectedly score a point every now and then. But, I encourage you: stand up and cheer your children on every step of the way. Imagine what they could accomplish in life with a little encouragement from the people who matter most to them!

I believe every child has the potential to be amazing at something. They just need someone to believe in them. Let that someone be you.