Buried Talents

In my youth and childhood, I enjoyed drawing and painting. I thought that since I couldn’t see myself in any other career path, other than as a wife and mother (which was also a longing of my heart), I thought that maybe I could just become an art teacher. I did not have a very high self-esteem—though didn’t even realize this yet. I had a huge problem with my identity and worth being connected to what I could do, especially in the context of serving others. Once I was married, I reassigned my identity to being a wife (and later a mother) and no longer saw the value in pursuing art, as there were many people far more talented than I was anyway. So, I dropped art all together. I ignored, and didn’t

even recognize, the longing (and almost jealousy) I felt when I saw others painting or crafting. My creativity would only come out when I was invited to ladies’ events where there were crafting workshops—Oh, how I loved them! Also, when it came to my kids’ or family members’ birthdays, I could make a special card, or paint large decorations, or even make a special birthday cake—it was my chance and excuse to have fun being creative and serving others.

I didn’t realize that what I had actually done, all those years ago, was to kill or smother a part of who God had created me to be. This desire to create was God-given; but I thought that since I wasn’t really that great at it, it was for others, not for me. I thought that my role was just to serve and to lay down my life for others—which is indeed what we are called to do, but in the context of who he has created us to be. As the Lord began bringing some much-needed healing into my life, he began revealing to me that all the ways he created me were for His glory, even my love for art and creativity. He created all of us in His own image (Genesis 1:27), which means that we too were created be creative; our creativity reflects who he is and who he has created us to be. By not using and enjoying the creativity that He had given me, I was not being fully who I was meant to be.

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." Psalm 30:11 This painting was inspired by a beautiful dance seen at a Chechen cultural event in Nice.

The Lord first began healing my heart by showing me that his love and acceptance of me is not on the basis of what I have or haven’t done, but on the basis of what he has done for me through Jesus’s death and resurrection (and the gift of his Spirit); that in belonging to him, as his beloved daughter, he now only sees me through the righteousness of—as one with—his son (whom he dearly loves). On top of this, He not only loves me, but He LIKES ME! And He wanted me to begin living out of the person he had made me to be, knowing that I was fully loved and accepted in Him. I began to realize that he had given me these gifts and this love to create and paint, and that by using them I would bring glory to him. As I began enjoying his good gifts, while painting, it became a cycle of love and worship. I praise him for his gifts; he enjoys me enjoying his gifts; and I enjoy him enjoying me enjoying him, through art! My understanding of His love for me is growing as well as my love for Him, myself, and others! Crazy, isn’t it?!

As I continue enjoying these gifts, I have the privilege of inviting others into the process and opening a space for them to likewise begin to discover their gifts of creativity as well as enjoy the things that they create - and hopefully experience this great love God has for them, and see how precious they are to him and to me. It is hospitality through art! I love it! Fifteen to twenty years ago I would have never been able to imagine all that the Lord had in store for me! I now see serving and loving others is supposed to come from who he has created me to be in Him, not from filling a role and expectation that I had put on myself of what I thought it was supposed to look like. It no longer drains all of my energy, but is in fact life giving to me, as well as to those I serve and love.

A final perk, in enjoying what the Lord has given me, my artwork can reflect the Lord’s heart and love for others, and I continue to improve my skills as an artist. People have begun asking to buy my work and have told me how it blesses them! What a gift! I am eager to see where He is yet to lead me!

My question for you now is this:

What are some of the things that you enjoy doing or have some natural ability in, or have had as a secret longing in your heart? Are you allowing the Lord to use the talents He has given you?

When we let the Lord into our lives to bring healing and truth, He can take those treasures that you hold and use them for life and joy for yourself and for others, for His glory!

Patti Benicourt is a mom of five. She and her family have served cross culturally in Turkey and in France for the past 16 years. They presently live in Strasbourg, France, where they seek to serve the refugee and immigrant population. Over the past three years, Patti has offered an art workshop for ladies in the city to provide a safe place for creativity and connection. You can see more of Patti's work on Instagram at patti_paints.