God–Given Gifts

I have always felt a very special connection with the Holy Spirit and Pentecost is one of my favorite feast days of the liturgical year.

Through the Sacrament of baptism, we are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit and again when we are confirmed in the church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. As parents, we should be teaching our children these characteristics through our words and actions throughout their lives so that, when they are confirmed, our kids are already familiar with them and embody them. Easier said than done, right? (Especially the “actions” part!) 

But we don’t have to do it alone! Just like the fearful disciples after Jesus’s death, God knew we would have to go up against a secular world that doesn’t abide by the Church’s values. He knew we would need to be fortified by a power much greater than our own human strength. That is why He gave us the ability to call on the Holy Spirit at any time. Here are some quick tips that can help your child when they feel like they need the power of the Holy Spirit inside of them:

• Breath: You can teach your children (and yourself!) that the power of your breath can calm you down anywhere, anytime. If you are in a stressful or fearful moment, breathe in through your nose and say to yourself something like, “Come, Holy Spirit,” “Jesus, I need you!”, or “Thank you, Jesus!” and then breathe out through your nose. That breath can be you inviting the Holy Spirit into your situation to give you new understanding or fortitude to get through it.
• Get Curious: When you are in a circumstance where you can’t see how things are going to get better or you don’t understand someone’s actions, allow yourself to get curious. Ask yourself, “How could this be happening for me instead of to me?” Can you think of a time when a situation seemed abysmal and that there would be no way it could get better (i.e. losing a job, a failing marriage, a failing grade, etc.)? Looking back on it now, how did God’s plan play out? He had a plan for you using your unique gifts and if you got genuinely curious about it, you could see how His plan was way better than your own.
• Celebrate your Gifts: We all have gifts that God gave uniquely to us. Your gifts are usually things that come very easily to you that maybe others think are difficult. Sometimes our gifts can feel so easy to us, we wonder how it could be difficult for someone else. What is that gift for you? 

• Are you a deep listener? A powerful orator or leader? Great with complicated logistics? Have abundant patience? God gave you your special gifts for a very specific reason, and leaning into them will bring you deep joy. Help your children recognize their God-given gifts so that they can cultivate them. They might not even realize they are gifts; they may think it is easy for everyone.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Even though Pentecost has passed, you can still keep the Holy Spirit alive in your family. Maybe have a special Holy Spirit dinner where you light candles at the table, everyone wears something red and you discuss one another’s gifts and help one another to see how the Holy Spirit is alive in your home, living and breathing life and love into each of you. 
  
  Holy Spirit, enlighten, guide and protect us. 
  
  Stacy Glynn LaMorte is a wife and mother of three. She is a personal trainer and is also enjoying her new profession as an ADHD and life coach to adolescents and adults. She enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs, gardening, writing, travel, reading and exercising.