As a minister in the Church of the Nazarene, one of the first things my husband has always stressed while counseling couples preparing for marriage is the necessity to communicate with one another. Without communication, how will others know what we want and need? Without communication, how will we know their wants and needs? The important thing about communication is not merely in telling others our wants and needs, however. Communication is a two-way street, where we listen as well as speak.

The other day I was watching a program on TV and was astonished to hear a young woman monopolize all the conversation. The poor man she was talking to could hardly get in a word, and when he did, she kept interrupting him. It made me stop and think about my own communication with others. Do I listen as much as I speak? Do I take an active interest in what others are saying, or is the conversation all about me?

Have you ever noticed how people seem to light up when you ask about them or take an interest in the things they are doing? It’s a joy and a privilege to really listen when others are talking, because we can often learn a lot about that person, which in turn, will draw as closer to one another.

First Timothy 6:18 reminds us that we should be willing to communicate. Is there someone you need to communicate with today?

Have you ever stood in a grocery line, tapping your foot and feeling impatient because the clerk was taking too long, or there were too many people ahead of you? I’m sure there are times when everyone feels impatient–to get a job done faster, to move quicker in the grocery line, or to wait for an answer to prayer.

Having recently returned from a trip to Ohio, I found myself thinking about the patience I saw in some of my Amish friends while we were there. I believe their patient attitudes come from being taught at an early age that we can’t always have what we want when we want it. We must learn to wait for certain things, and waiting patiently makes the wait easier.

I am reminded of a little poem I wrote for my devotional, A Celebration of the Simple Life, entitled, “A Patient Attitude: The nature of a flower is to wait patiently for spring.” Flowers don’t worry or complain about every little thing. The nature of a flower is an example to all. When wind and rain threaten, a flower stands straight and tall. Let the flowers be your example for having a patient attitude. For when you face each day with patience, you’ll be in a better mood.

Is there something you’ve been praying about and not yet received an answer? What are some things you can do as you wait patiently for answers from the Lord? Hebrews 10:36 says, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”

Several years ago my husband and I had a puppet ministry. We traveled around the State of Washington and put on programs for Bible schools, Sunday schools, church camps, and various other functions. In order to add more interest to our programs I learned ventriloquism, and my husband learned how to make twisty balloon creations. Having grown up believing I had no particular talent, it was fun to learn that I not only had a talent in ventriloquism, but I enjoyed doing it, too. I often use my talent of ventriloquism when we visit Amish and English schools.

I also enjoy using my ability to write books for adults and children. I feel blessed when someone who has read one of my books shares with me that something I have written has touched their life in some special way.

God gives each of us talents, and I believe He wants us to use them for Him. The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:17: “And whatsoever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” What are your special talents, and how are you using them for Him?