Elder Malidoma Somé of the Dagara people of Burkina Faso in West Africa teaches us that “there are two things that people crave: the full realization of their innate gifts, and to have these gifts approved, acknowledged, and confirmed.” Rev Erica Baron reflects on this teaching and how it can transform our lives both inside and outside of congregations. “We usually think about giving generously,” she says, “but we think less often about what it means to receive generously. Since we crave having our gifts seen, acknowledged, confirmed, it is an act of generosity to each other to receive each other’s gifts. Together, we can create communities that notice gifts and celebrate them and give them ways to be expressed.”