A prayer to celebrate God's good gifts in us by Susie Eller.

How do you know me? Nathaniel asked.

Jesus answered, I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.

John 148.

When my brothers were small they'd often tiptoe into my room and climb in bed with me at night.

Home was hard at that time for all of us.

We found sanctuary as we huddled close and I told stories.

Say a word, I'd prompt.

Dragon, one little boy whispered.

Forest, said my other little brother. And off we went on an adventure as I

will have a story about a fierce dragon caught in a forest with two sweet boys

hanging on every word. I didn't know it back then, but

storytelling was a gift God placed in my heart. It wasn't just a knack for

telling stories, but something he would use for his purpose.

On the nights when my little brothers and I snuggled in for a good story, he used my gift

to calm their anxious hearts.

Little did I know that God would continue to use this throughout my life.

Likewise, Jesus knows a thing or two about gifting and purpose. In John 1 we find Jesus in

Galilee. Nathaniel is walking toward him and Jesus calls out telling all within

hearing distance that Nathaniel is a good man.

How do you know me?

Nathaniel asked.

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