Let's say that child prodigy Sam sees a violin and decides he wants a go at it. By the age of 3 he, like Mozart, is composing complicated musical works and is a virtuoso on the violin.

And then you have Ben. He likes the violin but really plays it badly. He's enjoying it but has everyone else running for the ear plugs.

What Ben doesn't know is that he would be a natural at flute or saxophone. Or writing, or cooking, or languages.

How does Ben know exactly WHAT it is he is born for and given talent for?

I'd say, just as Sam did not know that he had talent on the violin, until he picked it up, so would Ben not know that he has talent for flute, saxophone, writing, cooking or languages - until Ben tries them out. At the end of the day, Ben should just keep trying different things.

It probably should not end once he discovers talent in one thing, rather, to progress and keep searching for more areas of where he is talented in.

Great question Gail. This must be the longing of every parent.

I think we could agree that God knows all Ben's strengths and liabilities, and that true talents come from God (to be returned, with interest). The parent(s) should be on guard to watch for innate abilities and lend a guiding hand.

Many parents long for a child's success in this world, more than they long for eternal results.
Will Mozart be in heaven? What was his influence upon others?

What thoughts preoccupied Mary & Joseph?