This month is one of celebration, and I want to invite you each into celebrating the gifts God lavishes on us.
First and foremost, thank you to every person who has prayed for us during my surgery and recovery—you have been an amazing gift from God! The outpouring of love, grace and kindness was incredible and I’m so blessed and grateful for every person who prayed, provided a meal, sent flowers, checked in on us and loved us. While I was a little reluctant to share what was going on, I felt led to share my journey with you so we could cover Rebirth Homes and everyone who is part of the ministry with prayer.
Another of God’s amazing gifts that I celebrate is the outcome of my surgery, which is the best it could be. Additionally, by the grace of God, Rebirth Homes continued to thrive while I recovered. I celebrate God’s goodness and how He continued to work during this season. I truly believe in our team, and the biggest blessing was seeing how they learned to believe in themselves at a greater level.
I also want to celebrate the life change that’s happening at Rebirth Homes. Our mission of “journeying with survivors as they become empowered to be all they were created to be” applies to everyone who enters our doors. This life transformation is at the heart of God and happens when we align our will with His will. When that happens, we can thrive. One of the women who was in our program shared that she didn’t want to be a survivor, she wanted to be a thriver. She explained that we survive during times of trauma but we thrive when we are living our best lives. I love how she explained that, and I’m so excited to see more of this language being used. Every time I see it, I think of her.
I want to encourage you to praise God for the gifts He’s given you today and to celebrate who He created you to be. Each of us has a calling and place in the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes the church as a body of different but equally vital parts that should work together in unity. Finding your gifting is a wonderful way to discover how best to serve others. How many of us have functioned as a leg when we have the potential to be an amazing arm instead?
If you are wondering how to discover your own giftings, we are happy to share the tools we use at Rebirth Homes to help our participants, staff and volunteers learn more about themselves and find their gifting. First, we use Spiritual Gifts (https://giftstest.com) to help followers of Jesus discern their spiritual gifting. Next, we use the Myers-Brigg Personality Test (https://www.16personalities.com) as a tool to understand how we perceive the world and make decisions. Finally, we use Gallup CliftonStrengths (previously called StrengthsFinder https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx) to determine dominant personality themes and strengths.
This is one of my favorite things to do with people and I would love to hear from you about who God created you to be. I want to celebrate with you! Feel free to e-mail me at debbiem@rebirthhomes.com
I believe all of us have it in us to thrive when we fully surrender to God and allow Him to shine through us. It’s so freeing and empowering to know that God created each of us and that we don’t have to worry about anything when we are true to God, ourselves, and others.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
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