The intensifying belief that having a large following, book, ministry, or microphone is the only way to make an impact is causing women to lose sight of the gifts God wove into our souls at the moment He gave each of us life. Often women express to me this belief that they must have a "platform" to change anything at all, and it saddens me deeply.

Our culture celebrates gifts that put people in the spotlight, so if our “gift” doesn’t involve recognition, it is deemed worthless. God’s definition of a gift stands in opposition to this, and Tabitha’s life illustrates this beautifully in today's reading.

The women who stand at Tabitha’s bedside sorrowfully show Saint Peter the garments she made them to show that this is the way she loved them. Sewing was her gift.

How do we figure out what our gifts are? When I reflected on this question long ago in my own life, it brought me to ask another question: How can I make people in this world feel loved?

That answer is often where our gifts lie.

Women across the world are using their gifts today: the woman who gives her all to teach her students, the woman holding the hands of elderly patients in their final days, the woman caring for her disabled child or parent, the women researching cures, changing diapers, helping women in crisis pregnancies, serving coffee with a smile . . . millions of women going under the radar every day with a depth of love that I, as a woman in the public eye, can only hope to achieve before I die.

Let us thank God for the gifts each woman brings to the table—you included. He needs us to be His hands and feet. One way we do that is by pouring out our gifts, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem to us.

When we put them in the hands of our all-powerful God, He uses them to work miracles.

So, I ask you, how can you make people in this world feel loved?

listen to today’s devotion

[bctt tweet="He uses our gifts. // @emwilss" username="blessedisshe__"]

God Our Father, remind me of my gifts to give You glory.