Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?

Hard question: It is so much easier to come up with answers to questions about my weaknesses. Through different things that I have attempted throughout my life, I have come up with a pretty long list of my weaknesses.....but that isn't the question.

So, I would have to say that my "virtues" that are also my spiritual gifts lie in the manner of "encouragement." I have always had a way with words and it is easier for me to express encouragement through a hand-written (or now emailed or FB'd) note that for me to do anything else! I always mean what I say as far as that encouragement goes too. I don't just make it "sound elegant." I think when I put pen to paper, or words to a screen, I can assemble my thoughts in the best manner, even better than in person or face to face contact.

I have always been empathetic.....to the extreme. If you were the kid in school who did not have any friends, you might count me as your one and only. I always saw the beauty in people, no matter if other people did not. Sometimes, that was hard. I was the one that the teachers would sit kids next to who needed friends.....kids who were trying to be main-streamed into school, with disabilities etc. It was hard sometimes, but looking back I am glad that I had that experience.

I was always the kid that people with mega-problems turned to for help....and sometimes I could not help those issues. I would hear about things that they would not tell anyone. I heard about attempted suicides, eating disorders, insecurities, spiritual struggles, and abuse. I think people told me because they knew I cared deeply about what happened to them. I may not always be the best "advice giver" but I do always pray about advice that I do give and hope that it is sound and what God would have me say at the time.

I have had a HARD time accepting our time in the NICU with my Trenton. It has been THE toughest thing I have ever gone through. But, I have been praying a prayer that is consistently being answered.....that I would get to be an encouragement to other moms in the same boat....because there are many of them. God chose my ministry for me. For that, I am thankful.