November 12, 2026
God had a plan for you. For me. From the beginning, He had work for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). When He was knitting us together in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13), He was hardwiring in certain things. Not just our hair or eye color, but our personalities and passions.
That’s a lot to think about. The devil often has us thinking we’re just an accidental jumbled mess. Make that an accidental, jumbled, wrinkled mess.
In A Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren shared the acronym S.H.A.P.E. that elaborates on how God has equipped us to be used by Him. God uses our Spiritual gifts, our Heart – our passions and interests. He uses our Abilities – natural talents and acquired skills, Personality – how we are wired, and Experiences – your past, the good and bad.
When I read that many years ago, I was baffled. I know God is God, but to think He uses all parts of us was stunning. (Still is.)
Thelma Green is a great example of using passions and gifts to make Jesus known. I saw her in action last week.
Miss Thelma has a deep love for the Lord and His Word. Each morning, she studies and prays for hours. Her prayer list is long and detailed. I’m thankful to be on that list! I know without fail that she prays for me every day.
Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, I can count on her to be praying for me. (I am blessed to have others who pray daily for me and my family, but this story is about Thelma Green.)
Miss Thelma is an artist. Though not nationally known, her artwork is spreading around our area. She loves to paint, but also draws animals on cards, adds Scripture, and mails them to those who are sick or just in need of some encouragement. I have a gallery on our kitchen cabinets.
She loves Jesus, loves to draw, and loves people. Hang on to that.
My beloved and I were out to eat last week with Thelma and her husband, Oscar. Our server, McKenzie, came to the table and introduced herself. When she went to get our drinks, Thelma took a small notebook from her purse and made a note.
After our meal, Thelma took out a business-sized card. It had an animal drawn on it along with a Scripture from the book of John and an encouraging note. As we prepared to leave, she neatly wrote McKenzie’s name at the top of the card and left it with her tip.
When McKenzie got the card, tears filled her eyes. “Thank you so much!” she gushed.
Then Thelma spoke quietly, “I’ve written your name down and will be praying for you for the next 30 days.” McKenzie was amazed and appreciative. Can you imagine? For 30 days, she would be prayed for specifically!
Thelma used her love for Jesus, her love for people, and her gift/passion for drawing to advance God’s kingdom. I saw the impact with my own eyes.
How are we using the S.H.A.P.E. that God gave us: our Spiritual gifts, our Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences? He had a plan all along. Are we walking in that? Fulfilling that plan?
“We are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” Ephesians 2:10. That’s the mission. He will be with us. He will help us. Ready, set, go!
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Dawn Reed is a pastor's wife, newspaper columnist, and the author of Weiner Stew: Inspiring Stories from Appalachia. She also has a Christmas book called A Heart Full of Christmas. Reach her at preacherswife7@yahoo.com.
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