Consider this: What is your affliction (weakness) and what is your "gift" (strength)? #Afflictions #Gifts #Repurposed

I am watching the movie "Ray” (Ray Charles)

I am reminded of how it is stated and predicted in the Bible that your gift will make way for you. The "Old Folks" have always stated such, but of course, as a child, it goes over your head--at least it did for me. I have been reminded of childhood lessons and sayings over the last few years, as I needed redirection.

In watching Ray I “see” a man born with a degenerative affliction where he would eventually go blind. Yet, he was also born with a gift that much canceled out that so-called affliction. I was given this message to share: You are born with a balance--or an equalizer. What ails or afflicts you is canceled out by your gift. I may be wrong, or I may say it wrong, but our afflictions are there to allow or motivate us to focus on the gift we are born with to use in serving others. We are "repurposed". If your purpose is strong, your affliction is as well. Before she passed, Ray Charles's mother knew her son would need to fend, defend, and care for himself and empowered him to do so. She spoke strength into her son. I love that. She did not allow her son to feel sorry for himself. ...and, Ray Charles grew to be a successful, empowered and empowering, well-known musician, despite ---and maybe "because of" (purpose) his blindness.

They say that when one of your senses is limited or absent, the others rise or are strengthened to compensate and balance.

Now, here is the alignment...

TESTimony: I could not talk or "talk correctly" when I was younger. I stuttered profusely, as did my father. It was my inheritance. I can laugh at it now, but it literally silenced me when I was younger. It was my key link with my dad: “Yeah. She is just like her Dad, everyone would say.” So, I would just not talk. I couldn't even really talk to my Dad, because when I heard my Dad talk I heard myself. It came to a point where everyone just accepted the fact that I did not talk. ...and, they did not force—nor encourage me to talk, either. My mother was very protective of me: "Leave her her alone." I was never teased at school for it, however. In elementary school, it was probably because my sister would beat them up. She was “athletic.” As I grew up, not one time can I remember ever being teased about it in school—junior or senior high, or in the neighborhood. ...and, I grew up in "neighborhoods" or "hood." Why? I guess it was because I rarely, if ever, talked. I listened a lot, and would selectively speak. It is funny because my friends said they never noticed it. All the while, I thought they did.

I thank God for my "affliction" because I believe it put me on my path. I am sure I am an avid reader and creative writer because of it. My focus went to refine my gift--unbeknownst to me. All of my sharing and purpose is in that area. All of my worldly-blessings are through the vocations aligned with those gifts. ...and, who would have thought I would have been paid to speak and earn my living as an educator, trainer, and paid presenter to children and adults. I was told I would make little money as an educator--as a teacher. I retired making six figures. I wasn't even looking for the money--had given up on it, actually. I was simply at peace with serving children. My heart was/is full. I am glad I listened to my heart and soul.

LESSON: Sometimes when you think you are "broken", He is pulling you out and away for alignment in your pathway. You need to prepare for your purpose differently. Are you working within your gift and serving your purpose? Walk into your purpose, not away. Open your gift.