Talented

(Kolby chopping wood)



I love bedtime. 
(No, not for the reason you think!) 

I love it because with my boys all snuggled in bed and weary from the day, they start talking.  I have had some amazing talks with all of them.  I love hearing what they are thinking of, or worried about....or just crazy questions!  They each seem to have certain things that repeat.  For example, Preston loves to ask deep questions about the afterlife and spirits.  And Dallin likes to talk about space and monsters and witches.  Logan (by far the biggest bookworm) loves to talk about books with me and shares funny comics at times.

Then there's Kolby.  He's deep that one, and when he speaks to me, I know it has been thought about. 

A lot.

So the other night he asked me, "Mom how do you know what your talent is?  I don't think I have one."

As I tried to contain my surprised face I thought, "No Kolby, you don't have one...You have MANY!!!"

This seemed crazy coming from him.  He is one of the most talented kids I know!!  Really.  He is good at all kinds of things.  Running, basketball, riding his bike, violin, art (he's amazing, really), keeping calm, helping with Tayla (she asks for him when she can't have me), making friends, math, great student and example in class, amazing with animals, a natural at rock climbing, great swimmer with perfect strokes, strong faith....I could go on and on.  We talked about this.  I wanted to tell him all the things I thought, but I knew it would be better if he thought of them himself.  So I told him a talent is something we work at, but we just seem naturally good at too.  And we won't find out what they are unless we try things.  Like him trying the violin this year.  I think he has a gift for it.  He started to see things in himself, like his art and his running.  It was a great talk, Preston was in on it too.  He decided his talent was fishing because he caught more fish than anyone last time they went.  It was adorable, really!! 

Maybe this is what our Heavenly Father feels like, when we think we aren't good at anything.  When we wonder and doubt our own gifts and abilities.  He sees so much in us.  He knows us so well.  And maybe, just like I was surprised how Kolby didn't think he had a talent, He is watching us and wondering why we don't see how talented we really are.  Wondering why we don't share more and try more and just be more!  Maybe we are too busy comparing ourselves to others (guilty!) to feel like we have any talents.  If we saw ourselves the way a loving parent sees us, I don't think we would ever doubt ourselves again.  Beth