About the Author

Renee Swope is a Word-lover, heart-encourager, and grace-needer. She's also a wife and mom of three Joshua (27), Andrew (24), and Aster (13) and the best-selling author of "A Confident Heart" and her newest book, "A Confident Mom," released in February! Renee loves making memories with her family, creating beautiful...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Renee,
    I loved this post, and I think we all need to take the time to assess what are our spiritual gifts? If we are in Christ, God has not left us without a way or a gift for furthering His kingdom. Some are natural leaders, but God needs followers and helpers behind the scenes as well. All parts of the body working together. I have been praying about how best to use my spiritual gifts. I am kind of at a crossroads wondering how God might best use me. My gut instinct is to try to figure it out on my own, but His ways are higher than my ways, His thoughts higher than my thoughts…He knows how best He wants to use me so I am trying to trust in Him with all my heart and not lean on my own thoughts and understanding. I do believe that when we take time to discover our gifts and use them to build His kingdom we find the “sweet spot” for living…thanks so much for this reminder!
    Blessings,
    Bev

    • Oh my goodness I just read this AFTER I posted my comment….can’t believe we both used “gut instinct”…great minds think alike I guess!

      • I think we’re both at that 50 something crossroad in life…here’s to looking at what God has to say about our spiritual gifts and having the courage to use them rather than relying on human “gut instinct”. Right there with you…
        Bev xx

  2. Renne,
    Your post is an important reminder of why we should not compare ourselves, we were are all created uniquely.
    When we hesitate or we are unclear, shouldn’t we trust that we are already doing or being what we are meant to do or be?

    Penny

  3. I love this! I love the message and I love how succinctly you put it! Over the past few years, God has been waking me up to who I am inside as well. It’s an exciting, fulfilling, God-discovering journey for me.

    Thank you for these reminders and practical questions to ask myself in this beautiful journey of discovery.

    Much appreciated.

  4. It’s so beautiful we are called from within the womb and just as beautiful that when we have a question about our calling or anything really we just ask Him, the Wise, Warm-hearted One.

  5. Thanks so much for sharing this. I think have noticed a “tangle” of the giftings…people doing things because 1. They always have, or 2. It was expected of them, or 3. They wanted to help. May God help us truly serve and move as He intended–regardless of race, age, gender, tradition, etc…. the Same Body has an eye, toenail and nostril hair, all working together, albeit differently, for a good purpose! Love and blessings to you all!

    • Amen!! I think so many times so many of us miss the biggest gifts of joy because we aren’t serving in our spiritual gifts. So instead of being filled up by doing what He uniquely created us to do, we get depleted so easily.

  6. Thank you for the reminder that God does have a plan for me, even if I don’t know what that exact plan could be. One “gift” that God has given me is that I love to send cards of encouragement to people. I know that for some people, receiving a card in the mail, truly brightens their day and that makes me happy. 🙂 I feel that God’s love is shining through all the cards that people receive.

    • Melissa, the gift of encouragement is soooo important and I’m so glad you’re using it!! I have no doubt your notes are touching lives in ways you may never know, but God does. I bet every time you send one, He whispers, “Well done good and faithful servant.” 🙂

  7. Renee,
    Each of us needs to assess what we are good at and enjoy doing. For years I never knew what my spiritual gifts were. Then God kind of showed me what I’m good at–helping and encouragement!! I have a sense when people need a card, etc. telling them they are loved and prayed for. Also love doing things for people. My greatest joy is to cook/get meals for people when there are illnesses, etc. in the family! It isn’t always that easy for others to know, but just pray about it and let the Holy Spirit work in you!
    Blessings 🙂

  8. Thank you for this post Renee – At 53, I still struggle to find out just where God would have me. I have desires and passions, but somehow when given the time, I don’t gravitate towards them. (I think this is grounded in a fear of failure; afraid to even go near where I feel God has gifted me because I’m afraid it will end in defeat). I resonate with what you wrote in your prayer at the end – I do not want to grow old and never have discovered what He created me to do, and the older I get, the more I dread that that is exactly how my life is going to play out. My life consists the general “stuff”; wife, mom, encourager, pray-er, full-time employee, always keeping involved and busy over family and worrying over adult children (lol). I thought I had discovered that writing was “it” for me. And while I’ve had a moderate amount of encouragement that my writing has been meaningful to others, I find that I shy away from it constantly now, afraid to begin again (for fear of failure and not living up to expectations; mine and others). I’m sinking to a rather mellow place that I don’t care for, and am not sure where I fit in. This was a good reminder to ask God about these things, and not just rely on my judgement or “gut instinct”. I’ve been trying to found out what He wants me to do in my own strength, and that part needs to change.

  9. Thanks Renee…I haven’t done an assessment in recent years so it may be a good time to re-do to see where I am in this particular season. 🙂

  10. Renee, I want to thank you so much for sharing this. I feel the same way as you did. I am 21 years old working small jobs that I really don’t want to do for the rest of my life, and when people ask me, what are my interests, what do I want to do for a living, I draw a blank and usually have no answer. Sometimes I am afraid of what lies ahead and I think will I find a job I love. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who feels this way but then others, like you, tell their stories and it helps me feel much better. I know that God has a beautiful plan for all of our lives and I know in His perfect timing I will find out what that is. I hope and pray that You always use your spiritual gifts. I know sharing this story has helped me, so thank you! Xoxo

  11. This post is so encouraging. “Our spiritual gifts are thoughtfully chosen by our heavenly Father to help us fulfill His plans for our lives.” Thank you so much for sharing your heart on this important subject. 🙂