With Whatever Talents You Possess

by Jan Johnson

My friends call me Superwoman. Once I even received the 1000 Thanks Award.

Where did this begin?

“You know that you can do things for others in secret.” That was from our Camp Fire Girls leader. I must have been nine. “You can do things like sweep the floor when your mom’s gone. Or pull weeds. Look around and see what needs to be done and do it.” That planted a seed. One that grew and grew into a way of life.

Look around and see what needs to be done and do it.

SERVING ANY NEED

My first teaching job was in northern Arizona on the Navajo Indian Reservation. It was different and exciting. It was where I met Howard, my first husband. From there, we moved to a small town in Oregon, looking for somewhere with more opportunities for our future kids.

My degree was in early childhood education, and I dreamed of starting a preschool. We immediately fell in love with a local church. Even before we had found a house, I asked the pastor if there was a need for a preschool, and he embraced my idea. That ended up serving over 90 families and kids from birth to age nine.

When I closed the preschool and returned to teaching at public school, I focused on other talents. My minor was in art, which came naturally as I had grown up with both parents being artists. 

Bare walls? Let’s paint murals.

No theater group? I can fix that—let’s start with fifth graders and go through high school.

No parent group? Let me do that. How about a family book club? Wouldn’t that be fun?

Oh, and I have a great idea! We could start a thrift store run by volunteers and the proceeds could go to the parent club to fund resident artists for learning experiences and exposure.

Speaking of exposure, very few of our white, rural population’s kids know anything about Oregon’s 400,000 immigrants. How about a field trip?

In our small church, there were so many needs. 

Piano player moving away?

Pick me! Pick me! I can’t let my musical talents go to waste.

Need someone to teach Sunday School? I’ve got you covered.

Why don’t we have a women’s group here? Could I start a once-a-month Ladies Fellowship group where we sing, pray, study the bible and create connections?

What about having retreats? Let’s use someone’s house, get out the sleeping bags, divvy up the meals, and dig in deep.

TALENTS & TITHING

God has given me many talents and avenues by which to use them.

The master was full of praise. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.”

Matthew 25:21

I’m not sure why God gave me so many talents, or the ability to see the visions of what needs to be done. But I have been blessed beyond measure.

I have wondered if there is eternal value in the things I have done. I raised ten children who are now grown.  How might my actions have affected their lives? 

  • One daughter has dreams of buying a retired bus and turning it into a traveling library.
  • Another daughter has become a nun devoting herself to service.
  • One son is looking into foster care.
  • Another became a Big Brother.
  • Another daughter is very involved in social justice. 

But are talents of time all that I could give?

Seven years into our marriage, Howard and I wrestled with tithing. We were in a tight spot financially because when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and became paralyzed after the surgery. He could no longer work. That left us with one income—my meager one from my preschool. It would take months to qualify for disability and the state wouldn’t support us unless we sold our car.

We chose to do it God’s way. And we tithed our 10%. 

At one point, we were down to one can of food. That was to feed five of us. In 1984, food banks weren’t as readily available. We just looked up to heaven and said, “Okay God, you’re our provider. I don’t know where our next meal is coming from, but we have no doubt you’re going to provide.”  

Soon, after returning from errands, there on the porch were three full bags of groceries. Packages of meat, vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, and more. And a note—

God told us to bring this to you. I hope that’s alright…

TAPPING INTO TREASURE

God has blessed us above and beyond what we could ever have imagined. 

Fast forward—1989. I’m now married to Ed. We had joined his four kids with my three and had three more together. He worked part time at the local water office and farmed sheep the rest of the time. I stayed home with the kids. Let’s just say we did a lot of stretching.

But I had already seen what God would do if we tithed and gave on top of the tithe. Now, we claim nearly six figures on our taxes for giving each year. And God has blessed us above and beyond what we could ever have imagined. 

“Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

Malachi 3:10

Being Superwoman isn’t about doing a lot of things. It’s about being in tune with what our heavenly father has gifted us with. Listening, watching, being aware of how we are to use the talents and provision he has entrusted us with.

Ultimately, all that matters is that we show others Jesus, and we speak the gospel. 

And you. Where are you? Are you using the talents he’s given you? The resources? If not, you’re not tapping into all the treasures God has for you. Ask Him to show you.

Here I am Lord, send me.

About Jan

Jan Johnson has been writing since fourth grade when her dad published her first book, The Little Red Man, a space story. That was back in the day when we were all sure aliens lived on Mars.

Jan lives on a sheep farm in Brownsmead, Oregon, a mile from the Columbia River with her husband Ed. Don’t mistake living on a farm as meaning she likes animals. Well, she actually does— from a distance. She’s passionate about building relationships, meeting new people, and hearing their stories. You know what they say—Love God, Love People.

When she isn’t writing, starting something new, or podcasting, she catches up with her ten children who are scattered hither and yon.

Connect with Jan:

Jan’s Podcasts:

  • Just Talkin’ About Jesus 
  • Women of the Northwest: Ordinary Women Leading Extraordinary Lives
Share
Pin2
Tweet
Share
2 Shares