The Race

Drawing by Tiffany-Amber Adams (11 years old)


By Belinda

I love each of the six precious grandchildren that God has blessed us with, as well as our assorted Godchildren. It is so interesting watching their personalities and gifts develop and to have a part in affirming and celebrating the wonderful individual that each one of them is.

They all march to the beat of their own drum, but none more than Tiffany-Amber. From earliest childhood, one of her preferred activities was imitating animals.

Brenda used to be beside herself with this little girl who scampered around the house in monkey mode, and who almost seemed to morph into the animal she was imitating. She can make the sounds of animals and calls of birds and when she does so, she enters into it with her whole being.

Although I was in awe at her abilities, I did wonder, how this skill could be used in the adult world!

Tippy, now 11, has had some real struggles fitting into the world of school, and even with additional supports to compensate for identified challenges, reading and writing are hard and she is well behind her peers. But oh, can she draw!

In her drawings there is life and personality in the creatures on the page and I suddenly can see all sorts of applications for her ability to "be" an animal. Perhaps she will work in animation or developing virtual reality software; perhaps she will work in advertising or use her art in some other way--the possibilities are endless.

One thing I know from experience: God has a plan for our lives. And if we follow his lead it is often surprising what he has in store for us.

I read these verses in the Daily Light for October 7th, and they reminded me that God's definition of a successful life can be very different to ours and he often uses the most unlikely and weakest candidates to do his work.

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (New Living Translation)
11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives...

Proverbs 16:9 (New Living Translation)
9 We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.

Comments

Angcat said…
What a beautiful picture Belinda. I can almost hear him breathing and even speaking in a rumbly sort of tiger voice.
Give my appreciation and encouragement to 'Tippy'.
Marilyn said…
This is very true. I don't know if we are born with this sight or it is an ability acquired over time, or both, but being able to see potential and not judge too quickly is a wonderful way to view the world and also a way we LOVE others. Barnabas (the encourager) surely had this ability and maybe it's a sign of the gift of encouragement.

Oh my my....you've got me off into a big thought-swirl.
Anonymous said…
It is a beautiful piece of art.

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