Talents and Seeds

I enjoy reading the stories and thoughts in the Hero’s Journey.  The stories that stuck out to me were the Parable of the Talents and The Emperor of Flower Seeds. The Parable of the Talents is always a good reminder of what the Lord has given us. We have all received spiritual gifts, physical talents, abilities, and skills.  It is so easy to hide your talents, especially during the developmental stages.  Fear often hinders our progress.  We worry of failure, ridicule, and embarrassment.  It’s difficult sometimes when life gets busy to prioritize time to develop talents.  I worry sometimes that I have talents that I squander and talents that are unknown due to the lack of exploring and trying new and different things.  The happiest times in my life are the times when I am using my talents to bless the lives of others and the excitement that comes when developing a new talent through feelings of accomplishment and concurring a new skill.  I am forever grateful to be a member of a church that constantly reminds me of my potential and allows me to grow despite my weaknesses. 

In the story of the Emperor of Flower Seeds, I was impressed by the woman’s diligence, honesty, and obedience.  She herself had skill to grow things and I could imagine her frustration when the seed didn’t grow.  Both frustrated in her own abilities and sad to disappoint the emperor.  Yet she continued diligently to nurture the seed until the very last day.  She also strictly adhered to the emperor’s command to return in six months even though her efforts had failed.  It is better to be honest in all your doings, then to lie to impress others, cheat to get ahead, or steal what isn’t yours.  I hope that I will always be known for my honesty and that others will freely place their trust in me.