I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. In my later twenties, I was married, and shortly after that, we moved to Florida. Upon our return to Cleveland around (2006), I started attending Grace Church in Middleburg Heights. Grace Church was one of many churches that hosted The Bible Study Fellowship program, which I also attended while in Florida.

One of the many things that I loved about this program was how it encouraged the use of God-given gifts. At this time, I prayerfully asked God for direction on how my gifts could be used. Ultimately, I received my answer when I searched the web for a church closer to home. Imagine my surprise when I found that there was a Grace Church in Old Brooklyn that had all the appeals of Grace in Middleburg but on a smaller, more intimate scale.

 It was also interesting that Grace in Old Brooklyn was the Mother Church that launched Grace in Middleburg Heights. With this in mind, I volunteered to help with Greeting and Child Care. I have always enjoyed meeting new people while learning how God was working in their lives through their giftings. It is fascinating to see how God can work through anyone to achieve his will, which in my humble opinion, is to forward the Great Commission.

 That said, everyone has a God-given purpose, but the question is, are we using them? As I have matured in my faith, I have come to truly admire the gifts God has given to people.

This has prompted me to ask myself, as well as others, sensitively and respectfully, “if and how they are using their gifts,” and if not, why not? We, believers, know that death is not the end, but it is the beginning of Eternity with God. Before I leave this Earth, my fervent prayer is that God’s purpose for my life is fulfilled as I use my giftings for him, and I also pray this for others.