Grace Notes: It takes time to discover God-given talents

To make jewelry, you must carefully select stones and colors, but I am terrible at making decisions. In fact, just choosing a restaurant for lunch can frazzle my nerves.

Still, I sometimes long for talents that others have. Whenever I see someone making a sweater, for example, I start dreaming about taking a class and becoming the queen of knitting.

Well, I tried my hand at needlework once, but I had to give it up.

You see, everywhere I went, I carried my yarn like a modern version of an albatross.

Every spare minute went into my projects, and I became a one-woman assembly line, turning out shawls by the dozens.

One day I had to face the tragic truth: My hobby had become an obsession.

Then there was the time I took a pottery class. While others perched before the wheel, producing lovely, symmetrical mugs, I churned out pudgy little pots that barely held a thimbleful of coffee.

Finally it hit me: We all have God-given talents, but it takes time and patience to discover them.

Some people grow bushels of tempting tomatoes, while others, like yours truly, produce about four a year, which can barely be seen with the naked eye.

Some folks can head to the piano and fill the room with magical music. Alas, I took lessons for years and still can barely plunk out the scales.

Some God-given gifts get little worldly attention. Take the teacher who oversees a herd of little children without losing her sense of humor.

Take the cook who churns out a mouthwatering meal without burning down the house.

It requires some wisdom to discover what we're truly good at. If we spend too many hours a day tweeting and texting, we may miss the chance to nurture our own gifts.

To find your talents, look at the things you do almost effortlessly — whether it's building a bookcase or baking bread — and the activities that give you delight.

As for me, I will never be a champion gardener, musician or chef. It's highly doubtful that I will ever make earrings as gifts.

However, I've written two mysteries, and am working on a third, so I'm grateful for that.

Still, there are times when I look longingly at the snazzy skeins of wool in shops, and there are moments when I envision myself churning out gorgeous handmade scarves.

But as soon as I begin listing the people who would be the recipients of these garments, I know it's time to go home, turn on the computer and start writing.

Lorraine V. Murray's two mysteries are "Death in the Choir" and "Death of a Liturgist," both featuring Francesca Bibbo, a widow with a knack for getting into trouble. Murray's email address is lorrainevmurray@yahoo.com.