What are your secret talents?
“And the special gift of ministry you received…keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 MSG).
Peggy Cunningham working with children
I think my secret talent is related to my hair––blonde with streaks of white. Can hair be a secret talent? Maybe. But…maybe it’s not my hair that’s a secret talent. Perhaps it’s what my hair can do––attract little girls like a magic magnet.
Living in a country where blondes are not seen often, little girls stared and smiled at me. I accredited all the little girls’ attraction to my hair––and being a tall blonde––a sight rarely seen in Bolivia. When I first noticed this secret talent, it opened doors to ministry with little girls, especially during Sunday School hours.
When my daughter was a small child, her hair attracted attention on the streets of Bolivia. Whenever we walked around the city where we lived, people constantly touched her long, curly blonde hair. Since my aging brought with it bottled blonde hair with white streaks, I, too, became a rarely seen sight. But then, something else entered into my secret talent.
On furloughs, I also noticed this happening in the States where blonde hair is not unusual. Being a children’s writer, I’ve always connected with children—but not in such a magical way as I do with little girls. When I meet or talk with little girls, I automatically talk on their level and so love being with them. I truly believe God has given me a special gift of ministry with children—a secret talent—especially working with little girls. It’s so much fun!
God gives us all special talents and gifts and uses them for His Kingdom. They can be fun, too. What’s your special gift of ministry—your secret talent?
Peggy Cunningham and her husband are missionaries in Bolivia, South America. They work with the Quechua people and have a children’s ministry. Peggy is the author of several children’s books and devotionals. Her latest book is Shape Your Soul—31 Exercises of Faith that Move Mountains, a women’s devotional. Visit www.PeggyCunningham.com.
