A Train Set instead of Golf Clubs
Parable of the Talents.
Part 1.
Getting comfortable with how God made me has been an awkward journey. Or, I guess I’m probably just an awkward person. Either way, it’s a weird process.
Years ago, I was daydreaming about my Christmas present from my dad. I imagined my brother and I were in front of the Christmas Tree, with our dad behind us, about to open our presents. On the left was a set of golf clubs with a “JD” on it, and on the right was a train set with “B” for me. My dad was SO excited to give us these gifts on Christmas, and he couldn’t wait for us to begin playing with them. BUT, all I could think about was how much I wanted the golf clubs and not the train set, even though the train set had my name on it. As I saw my brother begin playing with his clubs, I was jealous, frustrated and confused. I wanted the golf clubs! I had heard of so many people getting golf clubs at Christmas that I wanted my brother’s gift, I wanted what he had. As I turned around, I saw how sad my dad was that I didn’t want the gift with my name on it. I then asked myself, why couldn’t I just accept the gift of my train set?!? What kind of turd turns away a gift? I was so frustrated, but mostly with myself. It was my issue, not my dad’s issue.
I then imagined the opposite. I imagined that my brother and I RAN to the Christmas Tree, quickly looked for our “JD” and “B” initials, shredded the wrapping paper, and began playing with the gifts our dad gave us. My dad was excitedly waiting in the doorway. My brother quickly went outside to begin playing with his new golf clubs, and I began building a train track. Turning to my dad, who was so happy I was enjoying my gift, I told him: “Dad, THANK YOU for the train set. I’m going to build the most badass train set E-V-E-R!” He laughed with joy. He was so excited that his sons were playing with the gifts he’d given them; you couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face. He was so pleased.
I think God lovingly gives us gifts in the same way. I imagine He’s like the expectant father on Christmas, waiting for us to open our gifts and begin playing with them. He feels both sad and happy when we engage in the gifts He’s given us, just like a proud father. I think He is so sad when we refuse to embrace the gifts He’s given us, because he knows how much we’ll enjoy them. But likewise I think He loves when we accept what He’s given us and happily play and create using our gifts. No matter what we do, though, he loves us the same and gives us his amazing gifts.
In the Bible, there is a story called “The Parable of the Talents”. There are four main characters in the parable: the manager and three workers. The manager gives different amounts of money to each of them and tells them to go and use the money to try and make a return. The first two workers come back having earned a return, but the third worker comes back with only the original amount. He had buried his in the ground out of fear. The manager asks him: “Why do you only have what I gave you? Why did you not use - or even try to use - what I gave you?” The worker’s response: “I was scared!! I didn’t want to lose it.” The manager was furious.
We’ve each been given our own “train set”. Are you aware of what yours is? Are you coveting what your brother has? How are you using YOUR gift? Are you burying it out of fear, or are you engaging with it, playing with it, and allowing yourself to have fun building a badass train set?