He gifted us

Since I just completed a list of the charities I hope to donate to in the coming year over at the Crochet Cabana blog, when I read this Christmas message, written by Dr. Joe McKeever, a particular section jumped out at me as it relates to our crafting and, in particular, our charity giving. I'm taking it out of context, so go read the whole message to see how it all comes together.

--He called us into His service.
--He gifted us for the service.
--He sent us into the world.
--He gave us a ministry.
--He accompanies us.
--He empowers us.
--He fills us.
--He gives us brothers and sisters as encouragers and colaborers.
--We have fellowship.

The "He" here is God through Jesus. "He called us into His service. He gifts us for the service." What gifts has God provided you with? Crocheting, looming, knitting, plastic canvas, felting, sewing? Or maybe your gift is not in the crafting world, but elsewhere - compassion, teaching, leadership ... You know your gifts. But today I'm talking about crafting since this is the CRAFTY Corral. ;-) Those other gifts are important, too, just not what I'm focusing on today. Maybe at my other blog later. ;-)

My "gift" in the fiber craft arena appears to be crochet. Some might say that is not a gift. That is a skill. And it was a learned skill. That is true, but it doesn't mean that God didn't give it to me as a gift too. I've known people who have tried to learn to crochet and couldn't do it. I've had people tell me they tried everything and just couldn't get it. But they could pick up knitting. Or they could do quilting or plastic canvas or cross-stitch with no problem. God didn't paint all of us with the same brush. :-)

Does that mean I'm an expert at crochet? No indeedy. *shaking head* But to my great surprise, over the years God has allowed me to share what I know with others. Over the past 13 years, Crochet Cabana has grown beyond anything I could possibly imagine. It started out small, just a couple pages on my personal web site. Now it is hundreds of pages, thousands of pictures, all there free for the use of others, so they can find and develop their God-gift. I hope it has served you all well.


"He sent us into the world. He gave us a ministry." God didn't give us these gifts to waste. He intended that we use them. For ourselves. For our families. For OTHERS. Nothing wrong with making a baby set for your new grandchild. While you're at it, how about making a second little hat for a baby who has none? Take you maybe an hour. Cost a few pennies. And possibly save a life. Seems an equitable exchange.

There are so many ways to use our gifts for others. Not everyone is able to work on a house or visit the sick or donate money to a cause. But there is something you can do. Something, quite possibly, that only you can do. Even if that something is getting someone else to do something. Maybe you are the person who knows who to call when there is a particular need. This person crochets. That person sews. This person can take care of the children while there is a craft evening to make teddy bears for sick children. The opportunities are there if we look for them.

We don't all have the same ministry. We are not all touched by the same projects, the same charity efforts, the same groups. What would be the point if everyone was working on the same thing? Some folks choose one or two charities and that is their focus. That is great! I imagine it helps the charity to plan things, knowing their needs will be fulfilled by the loyal followers.

Others choose to provide a few things to many efforts. That is me. I am not saying that is a better way, by any means. I often wish I would just settle down and choose one! But I just can't do it. It's not me. I often get sidetracked when I learn of an effort that I've not participated in before. That is why I made my list to begin with. Hoping to get a bit more organized. Think that will work? Time will tell. :-)

"He accompanies us. He empowers us. He fills us." Are there days when you just want to throw your hooks or needles in the air and say, "There are too many needs! I can't do enough to make a difference!" I know I get overwhelmed sometimes when I get too many things on my plate that I just must do. "Must" is not exactly accurate. There is nobody putting a gun to my head and saying you have to donate to this effort. If God wants it to happen, then He will "empower me and fill me" to get it done, and "accompany me" while I work on it. If it's not something I should get involved in, then it will either not happen at all, or I will be stressed and overwhelmed because I'm not working on what I should be working on. Hmmm. Isn't it great to have a crafting companion like God? He is THE great encourager.

"He gives us brothers and sisters as encouragers and colaborers. We have fellowship."

This is why you can go into any social media - yahoogroups, Craftown, Crochetville, Eons, Facebook, MySpace or wherever - and find groups talking about charity efforts. You can find crochet groups, knitting groups, quilting groups, sewing groups, cross-stitch groups and more. These groups exist for the sole purpose of encouraging like-minded individuals to help their cause. There are no lonely crafters, unless they want to be that way. Fellowship is everywhere with the explosion of the Internet. That's not to say you shouldn't also seek fellowship with local people who have your interests, of course. Nothing like being in the same room with a bunch of crafty people.

You can find craft groups that focus on whatever it is you want to make. If you like to make scarves, you can do that. If you like to make hats, you can do that. If you like to help military servicemen, you can do that. If you want to help babies or homeless or abused women and children, there are places you can go to help them.

Encouragers and colaborers. That is co-laborers, as in those who labor alongside us. Collaborators, if you will.

I belong to Bev's Charity Challenge group. I have never seen a group of folks who rise to the challenge like these do. Encouragers. Yes. Every day. Every hour. If there is a need, they jump on it, whether it is a need for prayer or for hats or scarves. Co-laborers. There are projects we participate in as a group, but for the most part we all labor together to serve the Lord where He leads us. There is tremendous variation in the projects that are completed.

Through the encouragement of groups like Bev's and other groups - like Dee who does the scarf challenge each year, for example, and Sandy, who had a contest to get folks involved in working for the homeless - we help thousands of people every year - one stitch at a time.

Together, we can make a difference.

Happy crocheting!