Talents

Talents 
by Patricia A. Pitterle

My book room is filled with books.
Many are old and well worn,
Friends that I have enjoyed throughout my childhood.
Testifying of hands which pick them up
To be read again, and again.

Some are more recently read
And their pages have been creased
Only once or twice.
Still others,
Are used simply as points of interest

And there are yet a few
Whose covers still creak when they are opened
For they, haven't been used at all.
Their lessons and enjoyments
Are still hidden from my view.

People are like my book room.
The books within represent the talents within themselves.
Some are old and well worn
Testifying of much use that has brought joy
into the lives of others.

Some are more recently developed
And have only been used
A few times.
We have not yet discovered the confidence
In our own abilities to use them.

Others are used simply as points of interest,
Few and far between, their depths are still, as yet, unexplored.
Still others have never been used at all.
The benefits and knowledge contained within
Are still hidden from our view.

Each of us is like a book room.
With talents developed
Used, unexplored, And hidden.
It is up to each of us to discover
Those gifts within.

I wrote this many years ago.  I was learning that there was much more to me than I ever thought possible.  Sometimes, it is easy to look at others, see their many talents, and wish that we were just like them.  But Heavenly Father is much wiser than that.  He has given each of us the talents we need to return to Him.  Instead of focusing our attention on the things we don't have, perhaps we should turn our hearts toward discovering what we have been given and finding ways to use it to help others in our lives.  So, take a good look at yourself and discover the talents that He has given you!  What really makes you shine?