Find Your Gift

Posted: 6 years ago

Find Your Gift

Your gift is important.

I went to a mom’s retreat this weekend. Because of what I do, some moms recognized me and I was honored by their words. But there were a few times their comments made me sad, “I could never do what you do,” with a tone of uncertainty in their voices.

Do you know what I told those women? “Good, you’re not supposed to.”

Do you know what you’re supposed to do, friends? Unpack your gift and then cherish what’s inside.

Yes, because of the nature of social media, my gift may come in a shiny package.

My performance background and a love for a writing, lead me to become a TV journalist, and now I’m here in this space.

For you, maybe your attention to detail lead you to event planning, or your love for science lead you to be a researcher or your leadership skills lead you to be an effective manager.

Or maybe you’re using your gift in a way that has nothing to do with your professional life at all.

Maybe your ability to complete a host small tasks lead you to be the Sunday morning campus coordinator at church, or maybe your genuine compassion for those in need lead you to be a volunteer for a non-profit, or maybe your immense patience lead you to be a full-time stay-at-home parent.

I do not possess any of the gifts above. And you know what? I’m okay with that because my eyes are focused on my gift alone.

Are you feeling lost? Are you wondering what your purpose is? Unpack your gift.

Once you open the lid, you may find several small boxes inside. Cherish them because they will lead you to where you are supposed to be. And once you fully embrace those gifts, you will find you are becoming who you were always meant to be.

Don’t have eyes for someone else’s gift just because it’s wrapped in shiny packaging. That gift is not yours to open.

The wrapping, shiny or not, doesn’t matter, it’s the inside contents that count.

Hey, you. Yes, you, your gift is important.

Jillian Benfield

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The Gift of the Unexpected

What if the unexpected is the beginning of becoming your truest self?

Jillian Benfield was living life in the spotlight as a TV journalist, but after receiving a life-altering diagnosis for her unborn son, she realized no camera-ready outfit could dress up her grief. Overcoming this unexpected circumstance wasn’t an option. She would have to undergo it instead. In doing so, she discovered who she was and who God wanted her to become.

In this riveting story filled with grit and grace, Jillian helps you break down the false constructs you’ve built around God and your identity. You won’t avoid your pain, but you’ll learn to feel it, in a healing way. And you’ll discover how your internal transformation leads to external purpose.

No matter what you’re going through, you’re invited to open this gift: The Gift of the Unexpected

The book is available on