Just an Ordinary Woman: Finding Abundance in Our Everyday Talents
by Cara Blondo
She was just an ordinary woman with ordinary talents.
Yet these seemingly average talents impacted the lives around her so extraordinarily that, upon her death, friends stood around her weeping.
Who was this woman? Her name was Tabitha (she was also known as Dorcas), and her story is found in Acts 9:36–42. In the span of only a few short verses, we learn about a very significant woman. Despite the Bible’s silence concerning many details of her life, her story speaks volumes.
The first thing we learn about Tabitha is that she was a disciple. By definition, she not only gathered information about Christ, she aimed to imitate Christ. Is it any wonder that Tabitha was known as a woman “full of good works and charitable deeds” (v. 36 NKJV)? Just as Jesus “went around doing good” (Acts 10:38), Tabitha was busy sewing tunics and garments for those in need right where she was, in Joppa. But one day, she became sick and died. Distressed over her death, the widows implored Peter to come and help them. I imagine when he arrived, the widows held up the garments she had made, one by one, through tear-filled sobs and tear-stained cheeks.
Tabitha did what she could in this particular season of life, with abundance.
Her charitable deed was sewing garments for widows. It was her great contribution. That doesn’t seem very significant, though, does it? It’s just so very . . . ordinary.
May this serve as an encouragement to us in our day. Tabitha did what she could in this particular season of life, with abundance. She did not dismiss what she could do as unimportant or question the significance of her contribution. She did what she could for the glory of God and the benefit of others.
Tabitha wasn’t simply doing good deeds; she wasn’t solely sewing garments. She was caring for God’s people. And God treasures the people in our lives, often using the ordinary talents he gives us to show them his love. To God there is no job too small, no talent not needed, and no gift less valuable than another. Rather, God uses everything.
Tabitha used common skills to serve those who were in front of her.
Returning to the story, Tabitha had died, yet a miracle was about to happen! As Peter stood alone in the room with her, he knelt down and prayed. He turned toward her body and said, “Tabitha, arise” (Acts 9:40 NKJV). Immediately she opened her eyes and sat up. She was alive!
To God there is no job too small, no talent not needed, and no gift less valuable than another.
She was not, however, resuscitated for her own good. Would it not have been better for her to remain in glory with her Savior? Tabitha’s resuscitation was not for herself, but for the glory of God and the good of the church.
Her life was part of a much larger story.
Are not your story and mine also part of a much larger story? What or who is in front of you at this very moment? Where in the church are you being called to serve with the talents God has equipped you with? Are you willing to fully, abundantly serve wherever God is leading?
Only the Lord knows the impact our obedience can have in the lives of others as we, too, seek to imitate Christ. Like Tabitha, we may be called to do good, ordinary works in one place, to one family, or one ministry. Just as Tabitha had no way of knowing the impact of her life’s ordinary work, neither do we. But God knows. And though not one spoken word of hers is recorded, her life speaks volumes and tells us whom she loved, whom she lived for, and whose purpose she longed to fulfill. She did not serve for her own good, but to give God the glory. Are you seeking to give God the glory right where you are and through your ordinary works?
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Cara Blondo is a wife, mom, writer, and women’s Bible study teacher. @the_one_thing_desired
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New International Version of the Bible. Verses labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version of the Bible.