Monday, April 19, 2021

Different Gifts, Same Spirit

 


There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ~1 Corinthians 12:4

Days spent with our family over the spring break give us all wonderful insights into the gifts and talents our grandchildren are displaying and developing.  By the photo above, you can certainly tell that cheese pizza, homemade by Papa, is a big hit with both Savannah and Alexandra, and that Papa's cooking talents are roundly appreciated!  These two are only 15 months apart in age, so in their world, there has never been a day without the other one being a part of it.  It's no wonder, then, that when Savannah announces she wants to write a story, Alexandra doesn't wish to be left behind.



Alexandra confides in me that she can't yet read, or read well enough, but she wants to try; her mom is happy to coach her. 


My daughter, Sarah, tells me that Savannah is reading and comprehending words far beyond what's expected at a first-grade level.  Indeed, she is gifted in this arena, and she isn't shy about sharing her skill with us.  Savannah reads us Danny and the Dinosaur without one flub, unless you count the now politically incorrect words "Indians" and "Eskimos."


After all, she is NOT being taught those words in school, but tries her best to sound them out, and recalls them when reading the story a second time.

So, this Gammie isn't surprised by Savannah's story writing skills, but I'm still wowed by them.  And I'm encouraged by Alexandra's determination not to be left behind.


Savannah's story:  There was a girl taking a walk.  The girl found a poor kitty cat.  The girl took it home.  It was bleeding.  The girl put a bandage on and the kitty cat had a home forever.  The End


Alexandra's story:  A monster ran away because he wanted to eat a person.

I can recall writing stories from an early age, but not quite as young as these two grands.  I pray God has bestowed that same gift of story-telling, with which He gifted me, upon my granddaughters, to bless and enrich them as their lives unfold.

Amen!

34 comments:

  1. Amazing how quickly they learn at that age. May God bless them always and bless you and your family Martha.

    I wonder why children often end their stories with "The End".

    God bless you. The End.

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    1. That's a good question, Victor. I guess kids just want to let you know for certain that they've finished. :) And yes, they do learn so quickly at a young age.
      Love and blessings to you, too!

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  2. You took the words right out of my mouth Martha. May their story telling abilities develop to be in the caliber or even better than the one who wrote about a squirrel in a glade. :) Oh yeah...that be you! :) :)

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind compliment, Bill! Yes, I do hope these two will continue in their Gammie's footsteps.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. It's wonderful to watch children in the same family develop such distinct personalities. Our three grandsons display very different temperaments, interests, and actions. We have the quiet, cerebral one, the outgoing sports-oriented one, and the joyful, mischievous one. And they are as close as brothers can be.

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    1. Truly amazing, Glynn, I agree! Same genetics with different outcomes - what a tremendous gift from God.
      Love and blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Martha, I think so, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Yeay Savannah and Alexandra! You're keeping these forever and ever, aren't you, Martha? I was like 10 or 11 when I began writing stories. SO embarrassed when, years later I found them. Now they just make me laugh out loud.

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    1. You better believe I'm keeping them, Myra! And yes, it is embarrassing to go back and find things we wrote, or drew, as a child, but it's fun, too, to see how far we've come in life.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Dearest Martha Jane,
    Guess they did inherit your skills and as we always learned in biology, we must skip one generation! So that assures you they inherited yours.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. I'd love to assume that, Mariette, but my daughter is also a very skilled writer, especially when it comes to poetry. As you can imagine, though, she doesn't have much time these days to pursue those talents.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. I am chuckling over Alexandria's story, and I love her imagination and creativity, so apparent even in that little bit of a story. And Savannah is developing some great writing skills and follows through with her story. And jeepers...don't tell me they aren't allowed to say "Indians and Eskimos"? I suppose we will soon not be able to tell the Thanksgiving story without being politically correct, or any of the rest of American history. Oh well, I'd better be quiet before they find me here... Anyway, I love that the girls love to tell stories, and I do hope they will write what is on their hearts and in their minds always, and that God will bless their efforts and talents just as He did your wonderful writing gift. Delightful!

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    1. Oh, yes, Pamela, I do hope and pray they will continue to write. And as for political correctness? I'll fight it with every fiber of my being, especially when it comes to the history of our country, religious freedom, and gender identity. Sometimes I think this world has gone mad, drunk on the foolishness of secularism. I pray we would all develop some common sense!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. I have confidence that these two will both be writers. My oldest grandson had a strong inclination toward writing, but due to a very negative teacher in sixth grade, he was discouraged and never wrote stories after that. It simply broke my heart. I loved your granddaughter’s stories. Love and blessings to all.

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear of that negative experience your grandson had, Nells. Teachers can too often break a child's spirit and squash their budding talents. When I taught, encouragement was my focus. I pray your grandson will outgrow that negative influence and regain his natural voice.
      Love and blessings!

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  10. What a sweet post. Among my most treasured memories are collecting pop bottles to earn money for a pencil and a pad of Big Chief paper so I could write stories while I spent the day in the woods or outside. I can't remember all the stories, but I do remember how they took me away to fanciful lands and adventures where there was no pain and lots of love. Thank you for a wonderful view of your week with the grands.

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    1. Oh, J. D., what a touching story you've shared here about your childhood writing experiences! The best stories are those that do take us away on adventures and fantastical places filled with genuine love and caring. Did you know that I've published a series of books? You can check them out at the right hand top of my blog page.
      Love and blessings!

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  11. What a wonderful analogy to giftings, Martha. Love the girls's stories!

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    1. Thanks so much, Karen! Yes, the stories the girls wrote will always be cherished by me, that's for sure. May we all discover the gifts God has given to us and choose to use them wisely.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Beautiful! Post with theses girls always make me smile. They are so precious. I'm so happy you are finally able to spend time together again.
    Blessings!

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    1. So glad to know that seeing photos of these girls makes you smile, Beckie! May so many things come your way that ease your heart and give you good cheer, my friend.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Very cute .. and there was 15 mths between my sister and I and we are still very close, and God was gracious indeed in creating that relationship, I pray the same for Savannah and Alexandra all their lives too, praise His name!
    Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love,
    Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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    1. Thank you, Shaz, for sharing here about your sister and you. Yes, I hope and pray these two will always be close, and be there for each other as only sisters can.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. What adorable little girls, and how wonderful they already love reading and writing! Our second grade granddaughter is a quick study also. Even as a preschooler she craved the ability to write. E. would draw numerous squiggly lines across a sheet of paper to imitate cursive, then "read" her story to us. Such fun!

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    1. I just love this story about your granddaughter, Nancy! What a joy it is for us to see our grandchildren growing and learning. And thanks for your kind words about Savannah and Alexandra. Yes, I think they are adorable, too, but why wouldn't I? Lol!
      Love and blessings!

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  15. What bright, beautiful granddaughters you have. Such a blessing! They will grow up to be good storytellers like their grandmother.

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    1. Thanks so much, Laurie! Yes, I do hope they will grow up to be storytellers one day. It's such a privilege to see them stretching their new skills with such eagerness.
      Love and blessings!

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  16. Love that they are writing their own stories. We can learn so much from kids, can't we? Love the photos too. I know you enjoyed your time with them

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    1. Oh, I so enjoyed the time with them, Jean! Hope we do have some promising writers on our hands, that's for sure.
      Love and blessings!

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  17. Late getting to this, Martha, but loved your sweet glimpse into God's gifts unfolding in your granddaughters. I join you in the hope that your story telling talents are unfolding in the girls. You already know what a powerful teaching device stories are, and it's inspiring to see it being developed at such an early age.

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