Morning Devotional

July 2, 2005
"Quilting"   
    by Don Emmitte

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When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. (Romans 12:13 NLT).

Did you ever help make a quilt or comforter (some people call them "comforts") or any pieced-together blanket? We had a group of ladies that met in a church I pastored that met each week to piece together very special quilts. I have one that they made for us many years ago. It is a treasure to us. Each square is embroidered with their names and the date they worked on it. Many of those dear ladies have gone to be with the Lord.

Pat Gerber Pauls, Manitoba president of Canadian Women in Mission, wrote an essay that was published last year in newsletters asking, "Who will make the blankets when the older generation is no longer able?" Pat was a mission worker in Paraguay for about a dozen years, and there she observed first hand that "such blankets are invaluable to recipients in developing countries. They aren't sold in stories, and even if they were, a poor person would never be able to afford a blanket of this quality. The blankets are light weight, are hand-washable and dry quickly." She continues, "I see no decreasing need in the decades to come. But who will make these blankets once the mothers and grandmothers are no longer able?" She decries the fact that in today's culture, such time-intensive service is often laid aside in the pursuit of other laudable activities, saying it is cheaper and more time-effective to just buy and donate a $10 blanket.

While there may be some small satisfaction in buying a blanket and donating it, Paul points out that service provides joy and satisfaction that can't be bought. I received a note from some friends who recently moved to Arkansas. They arrived at their new home and members of the fellowship they had been visiting while making the transition came in force to unload and unpack their belongings. They had others who brought food making the day as stress free as possible. That kind of service is what we need more of in our churches today!

Everyone has something they enjoy doing that would help someone else. It can help lift depression, help you make new friends, and get you involved in a new community. And no matter how busy you are (unless you have very small children) most of us can carve out at least an hour or two a week or month to lend a hand to someone else. Try it and see if it won’t bring you a tremendous sense of joy!