Our group drew in closely. We knew that chapters one would reach down and touch a deep place in our souls.
 
We were right.
 
The deeper we dug, the more treasures we found.  I hope you enjoy pondering and commenting on them as well as my questions to you.
 
"The fear of not being 'good enough' can keep us from using our talents and gifts, especially if those gifts have lain dormant for a while. The problem with this kind of thinking, apart from the fact that it's self-defeating, is that it is based on assumptions that we have no right to make. To begin with, it is not our place to decide for ourseves whether we are 'good enough' to glorify God with our talent." (Page 39)
 
How does this phrase resonate with you? 
 
Elsheirmer's next words resulted in nods of agreement. "Comparing ourselves to others is pointless because we don't know how God intends to use us once we let him have his way with us. Do we really think God would give us a talent and then provide no venue for it?" (Page 40)
 
Insecurity is no stranger to the creative person. It seemed to be with us just then, creeping around the coffeeshop where we had gathred as if to distract and taunt us. As we read on, however, we uncovered truth to counteract the scars from our past and apprehension about the future. We began to wake up to the deceit that shackled us. Then our definition of successful was changed in a moment:
"Being successful is syonymous with doing God's will." I loved that. Simple and liberating.
What does it mean to you?
 
She quotes Oswald Chambers, who saw it this way: "When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to 'arise from the dead' and do the impossible." (Page 47) Or in the words of another Master of words, "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:23 NIV)