Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Masterpiece
Saturday, May 27, 2023
He's Not Done
Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
In church Sunday, we sang My Testimony by Elevation Worship. One of the phrases in the song says something like this, "if I'm not dead, then you aren't done."
As songs often do, this one got me to thinking. I pondered about God's plan and how I fit in. I have a t-shirt that says, "He has a plan, and I have a purpose."
The phrases from the song and the shirt remind me that no matter how old I am, I
have a purpose in God's plan. That thought can be applied to how young, whether by age, or by new life in Christ, a person is. He wants us to be
part of His work in this world.
My mom lived to be ninety-five, my Grammy ninety-two,
and my dad eighty-seven. I remember talking to mom on visits
as she grew closer to the end of her life. Due to her arthritis, she couldn't
do as much as she used to, but she continued to address and send cards for her Sunday
school class even when she couldn't attend. The cards her hands touched and
prepared blessed the sick, elderly, shut-in and whoever the class reached out
to. Grammy taught piano to students until the day she passed, and she prayed.
She lifted every family member, friend, and acquaintance to the Lord in prayer
every day. Dad encouraged his grandkids and until he couldn't
anymore, he fixed everything for everybody. All three of them allowed God to
continue to work through their lives and touch others in His name.
I have been blessed by many children and young people who
love Jesus. I'm thankful for every one of them. Not to mention the folks who
are young in Christ and share an enthusiasm that reminds me not to take my
faith for granted.
No matter how long I live, I want to continue to follow God's plan for my life.
Don't give up, instead ask Jesus what you can do.
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Quiet Moments of Purpose
God sees the little things as big things, and the least as most important.
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Created to do Good Work
Ephesians 4:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
With a cardboard template, I cut the pieces from colorful fabrics.
I've been a crafter for as long as I can remember. For many
years I sewed quilts, three layered blankets sewn together from the underneath to
the top with tiny stitches, then bound around the edges. When I first attempted
to make a quilt, I did everything by hand. I fussy cut the pieces using a cardboard
or plastic template and a pair of scissors. Then I handstitched the pieces
together with needle and thread and quilted by hand. As I learned more methods
over the years, I mastered the rotary cutter and sewed pieces together on my
machine. No matter how I made the quilt, I knew the purpose. They were created
to provide warmth and comfort for my family.
When I look around at people, I see how unique each human is.
Like my quilts, made in a variety of designs from different fabrics, people
vary too. My personality, stature, intellect, skills, and experiences set me
apart because God created me to be myself. He formed me before I was born and
gave me unique attributes.
As God made me, He knew my purpose. He knew why I needed to
live on earth at this time and in this place. As a believer in Christ, I try to
do good work. For me, the good works reflect in my writing (or at least I hope
so.) The abilities, desires, and talents God instills in a person is a guide to
the reason God created them. Some folks have wonderful musical abilities, some
speak, some listen, some smile and share kindness, while others may minister to
folks' physical needs.
In whatever way God created me to be, He is the one who
knows my purpose and guides my path. Growing up in a time when everything
pointed to "finding yourself," I had to look past society and seek
God's word and pray for his revelation to who I am.
Do good work for God, our creator.
Saturday, August 11, 2018
He Created us on Purpose
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Ask God what you can do for him each day. He loves us so much and wants to speak into our lives. Pray for purpose.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Purpose and Passion: Mary of Bethany
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.