It’s easy to think that we don’t have any skills that are “important,” or that we don’t know anything that can make a difference in the world.  But God has given each one of us passions, and He did so with an intent for us to not only glorify Him, but also to bless others with them.  Here are a few examples of people who are using their passions — even those that, at first blush, don’t seem to be “important” — to touch lives in a big way.

Dressember (Fashion)

I’m starting with Dressember because the woman who started it, Blythe Hill, is a proponent of this very message: that even seemingly trivial passions can be put to work accomplishing significant things.  I plan to talk more about Dresssember, which takes advantage of a passion for fashion, as it gets closer to that time of year.  For the time being, I encourage you to take the time to watch Blythe’s TED Talk.  (It’s just under 12 minutes long.)

Icing Smiles (Cake Decorating)

Icing Smiles uses a passion for cake decorating to help children diagnosed with critical illnesses celebrate life.  (If you’re a cake decorator, you can sign up with them as a volunteer.)  They actually have just recently delivered their 10,000th creation (!) and are currently having a special fundraiser and giveaway in honor of this milestone.  (January 8-30, 2016.)

Sweet Nectar Society & Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (Photography)

Sweet Nectar Society and Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep both use a passion for photography to bless families, but each in their own unique way.

Sweet Nectar Society provides photography for “children who are affected by serious illness, disability or injury.”  Some of these are children with terminal diagnoses; others have chronic diagnoses.  The photographs are beautiful; take a look.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep provides “remembrance photography for parents suffering the loss of a baby.”  As parents, we treasure the photos we have of our little ones.  How much more precious those photos are to parents who have nothing but the photos for remembrance.  These photos are heartbreaking, but absolutely precious.

SwapShop (Art)

SwapShop relies on a passion for art.  The mission is somewhat twofold — to brighten the days of children hospitalized for long periods of time by sharing art with them, and by providing them with the materials use art as an outlet and share art, as well.  You don’t have to be Da Vinci to participate, just have a willingness to share whatever talent you do have.

SwapShop sends Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) to children in the hospital to provide enjoyment.  (An ATC is a miniature piece of art — the size of an average trading card — made in whatever style you prefer.)  They also provide boxes of materials to children so they can make their own cards to send and swap.

Strathmore Artist Trading Cards 2 1/2 in. x 3 1/2 in. 300 series Canvas paper Pack 10 cardsBienfang Young Artists Trading Cards, Bristol Board, 20 sheetsMelissa & Doug Scratch and Sparkle Artist Trading Cards (Black Scratchboard)Ranger ISM-27980 Inkssentials Surfaces Manila Artist Trading Cards, 2-1/2 by 3-1/2-Inch, 20-Pack

(Shopping)

Even if your biggest passion is “just” shopping, you can still make a difference!  There are any number of companies that either help support various charitable organizations with a portion of the profits from your purchases, or that specifically exist to enable a certain group of people to rise above undesirable circumstances by providing a business outlet for them.  Your purchases keep them going.  Some of these companies have been profiled here at Titus 2 Homemaker in the past; search for “gifts that give back” to see some of them.  Another excellent way to find companies like this is to search for “fair trade” companies.

Bottom Line

Jesus said that whoever is faithful with little will be given much.  If all we have is a little, that’s okay — we just need to be faithful with whatever we have.  What passion can you put to work today?