I have been thinking a lot about Sister Michelle D. Craig’s talk during the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional on December 5. Her words have haunted me in a sense. “Don’t let the music in you go unsung, the hug ungiven, the forgiveness unoffered.” I have also thought about how brave her granddaughter was to share her talent on such a worldwide stage, even if her offering wasn’t perfect. She was still willing to add her part. That example speaks volumes to me.

How many times have I shied away from sharing or giving because I felt it wasn’t good enough or as good as what someone else could do? I held back and kept what I had inside. It reminds me of an experience with our biggest small apple tree.

It is the smaller of the two well-established apple trees in our yard, planted long before we bought the house. I love the shape of the branches. A favorite to climb in and it produces apples that make the pinkest and tastiest applesauce. However, it has always produced very small apples and not many of them. Until this year.

The tree has been struggling. In an effort to save it, my husband pruned it quite heavily. It ended up being a banner year for this tree. Not only was there an increased amount, but the apples themselves were bigger than ever before. Unfortunately, the blessing was not enjoyed to its fullest. Due to family circumstances, we did not have the time to pick and process all of the apples. So many of them remained on the tree until it was too late. A physical reminder of that untapped potential.

The waste of those wonderful apples has weighed heavy on my heart. And I wonder if Heavenly Father ever feels a similar heaviness when our unused talents and gifts remain on our “trees”.

Sister Craig said, “God has given each of us gifts. You may not feel gifted, but you have spiritual gifts from God so you can bless others and draw closer to Him.” She went on to give examples of some “less conspicuous” gifts – the gift of not passing judgement, the gift of caring for others, the gift of offering prayer, the gift of avoiding contention, the gift of inviting…There are so many.

While we may wish that we had a particular talent or gift to share, God has given each of us some. It is my goal that this year I will be like Sister Craig’s granddaughter and bravely share what I do have. I don’t want to leave any more apples on the tree.

** Sister Michelle D. Craig’s full talk: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=508514033984399

** A sweet post about what her granddaughter experienced after the broadcast: https://www.facebook.com/YW1stCounselor/posts/468014904680652