As a young child, I would sit on my grandma’s knee and ask to see her ring. How it sparkled with its many diamonds cleverly cut to catch the light! I own that ring now and still delight in its timeless appeal. The jeweller’s skills make these stones remarkable. It is the many facets which give it such beauty.
This is also true of life. As a child develops, their gifts and abilities begin to shine forth. We find they are capable in many different areas, and often it can be difficult knowing which to choose to hone. Outstandingly gifted children can be the focus of much attention and may be capable of shining on their own, but most have gifts they can enjoy contributing to the whole. Each gift is like a facet, reflecting some of the rays that make a beautiful gem.

As adults, we learn that others have gifts we lack and vice versa. When we choose to collaborate, this can be powerful. The emerging Games in the Park held last Sunday afternoons of the month at Helen Street reserve, Lane Cove North, is a good example of this. An initiative of Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy and the Rotary Club of Lane Cove, others quickly joined in. Local groups, a business and neighbours also offered their talents free of charge. This enables far more to be offered to our local community: table tennis, cricket, bowls, volleyball, Frisbee, massage, face painting, orienteering, and a free barbecue are the current activities on a growing list. It’s fun to be part of the team, discovering new facets and new friends.
My experience shows it’s far better to focus on the abilities of others (and my own) than upon the deficits. Encouraging people to find and utilise their gifts is enriching. What facets in your life are waiting to catch the light? Unleash them and we will all be the richer!

‘For it was you (Lord) who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made,’ The Bible, Psalm 139: 13-14 (NRSV)

PS You will find a photo of the ring on our Facebook site (6/4/18) and a short video with more story about the ring's significance (5/4/18).

​我年幼時，常坐在祖母膝上要求看她的指環。它巧妙地鑲著無數鑽石把光捕捉了！現在我擁有它，還依然喜悅那股無窮的魅力。鑽石匠的技巧把這些石子化為神奇的。就是那些切面令它具這般美麗。
 
生命也是如此。一名兒童於成長過程中，他的天賦和能力日益表現出來。我們會發覺孩子竟然具備多方面的才能，卻無從在哪方面入手來陪養他。突出天賦的兒童能得注目還可以自行發揮潛能，但多數享天賦者會把全部貢獻出來分享的。每一份天賦就像一個鑽石切面，它各自反射光來完成一夥美麗的寶石。
 
身為成人，我們知道某些天賦有所缺乏，他人亦如是的。一旦選擇與他人合作，力量卻大起來了。那新興的Games in the Park在公園裏玩遊戲，它逢每月的最後星期日在Helen Street reserve, Lane cove North舉行，就是一個好例子。這新近發起的活動沿自Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy社會教士和Rotary Club of Lane Cove扶輪社，很快其他組織也參與。本社區的團體，某商業及街坊都來義務幫助。如此我們的社區得不少他們貢獻的利益：乒乓球、曲棍球、保齡球、排球、飛碟、按摩、畫臉譜、尋寶遊戲，還有免費燒烤，都是現行的活動而且數目在增加中。參加這團體為成員是有趣味的，能發現新的方面和結識新朋友。
 
我的經驗是，專注他人的專長（和我自己的）較單看他人的短處為佳。鼓勵人群找尋和利用專長是令人感到更充足的。你們人生中哪方面正等待捕捉光呢？開放它的潛能我們就會富裕起來的了！
 
‘你造了我體內精細的臟腑，
我在母腹中，你就將我織造成形。
感謝你，將我造得如此精巧！’
聖經詩篇第139章第13－14節
………………………………………………….
多切面的           （译自Rev Karen牧师的‘Multifaceted')
 
我年幼时，常坐在祖母膝上要求看她的指环。它巧妙地镶着无数钻石把光捕捉了！现在我拥有它，还依然喜悦那股无穷的魅力。钻石匠的技巧把这些石子化为神奇的。就是那些切面令它具这般美丽。
 
生命也是如此。一名儿童于成长过程中，他的天赋和能力日益表现出来。我们会发觉孩子竟然具备多方面的才能，却无从在哪方面入手来陪养他。突出天赋的儿童能得注目还可以自行发挥潜能，但多数享天赋者会把全部贡献出来分享的。每一份天赋就像一个钻石切面，它各自反射光来完成一夥美丽的宝石。
 
身为成人，我们知道某些天赋有所缺乏，他人亦如是的。一旦选择与他人合作，力量却大起来了。那新兴的Games in the Park在公园裏玩遊戏，它逢每月的最后星期日在Helen Street reserve, Lane cove North举行，就是一个好例子。这新近发起的活动沿自Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy社会教士和Rotary Club of Lane Cove扶轮社，很快其他组织也参与。本社区的团体，某墒业及街坊都来义务帮助。如此我们的社区得不少他们贡献的利益∶乒乓球丶曲棍球丶保龄球丶排球丶飞碟丶按摩丶画脸谱丶寻宝遊戏，还有免费烧烤，都是现行的活动而且数目在增加中。参加这团体为成员是有趣味的，能发现新的方面和结识新朋友。
 
我的经验是，专注他人的专长（和我自己的）较单看他人的短处为佳。鼓励人群找寻和利用专长是令人感到更充足的。你们人生中哪方面正等待捕捉光呢？开放它的潜能我们就会富裕起来的了！
 
‘你造了我体内精细的脏腑，
我在母腹中，你就将我织造成形。
感谢你，将我造得如此精巧！’
圣经诗篇第139章第13－14节