Friend to Friend

Gifts to Share

By Sister Michelle D. Craig

First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency

Adapted from “Less Conspicuous Gifts” (First Presidency Christmas devotional, Dec. 5, 2021), broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

My grandpa always wanted to play the violin. But his violin sat unused and dusty on his shelf. Then he gave it to me, and it sat for years unused on my shelf. I never learned to play it.

But my granddaughter Scarlett has a violin she loves to play. She loves learning new songs. She may not play them perfectly, but she practices and tries hard. Her gift of music brings joy to others. And it blesses her as she gives.

We all have spiritual gifts. These gifts are not always easy to see. But Heavenly Father gives them to each of us because He loves us. He wants us to share our gifts.

These gifts include listening, getting along, caring for each other, not looking for what’s wrong in others, and asking for God’s help. Sometimes we don’t value or share our gifts. Maybe we are afraid that they are not as perfect as we would like. But if we don’t share our gifts, we miss a chance to bless God’s children. We miss a chance to feel God’s love.

Don’t let God’s gifts to you, even His little gifts, go unused. Offer them to God and His children. The gifts we have from our Heavenly Father are meant to be shared.

Illustration by Anna Aronson