I consider success to be when a person uses the gifts, talents, and resources God has given them to serve Him to the fullest. Every year, I ask myself: Have I been a success in His eyes? If not, how can I do better this year?

We all stress over the disappointments of years past. But this is a new beginning. The Apostle Paul says he is forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. That’s the attitude I want to adopt this year. How about you?

I’ve said before, (see previous post Being Thankful) I start my new year in February rather than January since after all, I was born in February, so my years began there. So, here I am at the end of January contemplating this new year and what it will bring. My plan is to retire this year from Nursing and write full-time.

How can you use your talents to be successful in God’s eyes?

For me, it’s talking. You see, storytelling, is a huge part of who I am. It’s who He made me to be. I am always sprinkling conversation with stories from my life or from the lives of others. Therefore, have a reputation as a “talker,” and it has taken me years to accept that talking is a gift. The gift of gab, so call it. So, speaking to groups and writing is a natural outlet for me. God has taught me a lot about life through experiences of my own and those of others around me. Authoring novels and blogs and “talking” are my way of sharing those lessons.

What do you consider “success” to be? What are your gifts, talents, and resources?

We all are given gifts and talents we are born with. Some we grow into through resources like education and life experiences, but they have always been a part of us from the beginning. Like seeds that are watered and nurtured by the people and choices we make. Sometimes, these seeds are smothered by the weeds we let grow. We abuse our resources and talents wasting them like we waste water letting it run while we brush our teeth or wait for the hot water to come. If we had to draw water from an old-time cistern or haul it from river and boil it, how precious it would be. (See previous post Being Thankful)

God provides all the tools we need to be successful in whatever He has called us to do, to be, to become. Seek Him, seek His will, and know when you find Him, and His will is accomplished in your life, you are a success. When you see Him, He will say “Well done,” and you will beam with joy.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10