The Hidden Talents

God talks to me in Scriptures. As I read today's verses for the Proverbs 31 study, I remembered The Parable of the Hidden Talents from Matthew 25:14-30. My job as full time lawyer ended four years ago this May when I was three months pregnant. I took this as a "sign" that God wanted me to stay home to prepare my heart and home for the arrival of our child. I planned on going back to work full time but things did not work out that way. I started hearing a call to be a homemaker, a wife, a mother and to put all my talents and concentration in what God was asking me to do. My husband had mentioned this years before after a men's meeting but I didn't want to hear that then. Now it is the best thing that has ever happened in my life.  We gave up a lot of "serving" in our church when we became parents so that we were not away from home every night. We did continue to be small group leaders in our home but our son was only away from us about 1 1/2 hour while he was next door with my Mom. Then we gave up small group because I was getting tired. This basically cut us off from "fellowship". I thought we would only take off 6 months but that 6 months turned into 2 years.

I have stopped meeting with so many friends. I have stopped formal counseling and mentoring of others. The belief is that I would serve as needed wherever our family was. There is some informal serving going on with my son when we are out in the community. There is serving in our neighborhood with treats, pictures and a kind word but we have no routine, ongoing serving as a family.

My son does help two other teenagers pick up bullentins after church. His face glows knowing he is being diligent and helping. I love seeing him serve our church family. I was trying to concentrate on "my family" and "our son" but somehow, I know I started hiding talents because it was easier. Also, I don't want to be greedy or teach my son to just spend what God gives us on ourselves (this includes talents). I am still praying for wisdom to know how much time to spend apart from my son. I believe we are to do most things together as a family when we can.  For some reason, I start to feel anxious when I think God is asking me to step out to serve others in a more formal, ongoing role because I feel I will not be fulfilling the most important purpose as a wife and mother. I am still seeing if I am serving there well. I think it is time to step out and trust God will multiply.

I do now, however, the last two years + of not serving as heavily outside the home was God's plan. My main ministry after being a child of God, wife is my discipling of my son. During this time, my son has accepted the Lord. My main ministry and work calling is motherhood. It has been worth everything in this life. Nothing compares to being a Mommy.  I am so grateful I get to spend every moment with him sharing everything.  My talents are not wasted or hidden on being home.

Scriptures:
~Prov 31:24 - She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
~Prov 10:4 - Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
5:14

Observations:
1. God wants us to be diligent
2. We are to use what God has given to others. When we fail to do so, we also  become poor ourselves.

Application:  My hidden talents may be (1) hospitality; (2) teaching/mentoring other women; (3) using God's word to teach, admonish, encourage, build up, train in righteousness.  I have started writing again since this Proverbs study.  I have a love for the written word and sharing God's truth. I still see my home life as a mess and keep telling God when that is in order for a few months then I will step out. When I am meeting my husband's need then I will step out. However, I have started to see that by hiding talents, I am not as encouraged to meet my hsuband's needs. I have become lazy by hiding talents. I think sometimes in black and white. I sometimes serve others too much. Other times I neglect serving others outside the home as I am too concentrated in my home on my son and husband. Whatever not of faith is sin though. For me, I know some of the not serving outside is that I am fearful I will neglect my family as I have heard that the main person I am discipling is my son.  The area I am to step out in is (1) having others over to our house more like I use too - celebrations and times of fellowship; (2) small group in our home or at church for all ages so that we don't have to be separated as a family. This would be new and is a bit scary. However, I don't want to be lazy in the talents God has given. I want to show my son how to share what God has given for God's glory.