BLACK AND WHITE

Do you sometimes struggle to learn something for which you doubt you have any ability? Over the years I have tried to learn to read music but have not found it easy, so my efforts at learning to play the piano or keyboard have been slow - or should I say, virtually non-existent.

However, I don't beat myself up about this, I just get on with what I am good at - and perhaps one day, that keyboard instrument, with those BLACK AND WHITE keys, in our spare bedroom will be something I can master - perhaps when I am a VERY old lady and can't get out much!

I believe that the talents God has given me make me the person I am - I am able to chat to friends and strangers alike, I can knit and sew, type very fast, I like to cook a good meal and sometimes share it with others and I enjoy singing (sometimes at the top of my voice on the beach!)

Of course, we need to practise when we are learning a new skill, but I know that I will never be as good as Mr. HCB at doing Sudoku puzzles and he often says he couldn't write a journal like this - but we both make the best of the talents we are given.

Rick Warren says:

When God gives you a talent, he expects you to use it. It’s like a muscle. If you use it, it will grow. If you don’t, you’ll lose it. If you have a talent but are afraid to use it, or if you get lazy and don’t use it to benefit others, you’re going to lose it. Like the parable of the ten talents in Luke 19, if you don’t use what God has given you, he will take it away and give it to someone else who will.

Must dash - off to have coffee with my friend, Galina - she is learning English - perhaps I should think about learning Russian - now that would be challenging!