Monday, August 17, 2020

Nouwen Meditation: Our Gifts Are Not The Same As Our Talents

"Now & Then" Podcast
This week's episode of "Henri Nouwen, Now & Then" features a conversation with award-winning author and activist Bob Massie. Bob is a man who learned from Henri how to live without fear even in the face of pain and disappointment.

DAILY MEDITATION | AUGUST 17, 2020
Our Gifts Are Not The Same As Our Talents
More important than our talents are our gifts. We may have only a few talents, but we have many gifts. Our gifts are the many ways in which we express our humanity. They are part of who we are: friendship, kindness, patience, joy, peace, forgiveness, gentleness, love, hope, trust, and many others. These are the true gifts we have to offer to each other.

Somehow I have known this for a long time, especially through my personal experience of the enormous healing power of these gifts. But since my coming to live in a community with mentally handicapped people, I have rediscovered this simple truth. Few, if any, of those people have talents they can boast of. Few are able to make contributions to our society that allow them to earn money, compete on the open market, or win awards. But how splendid are their gifts!
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

1 PETER 4:10 (NIV)
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