“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”—Psalm 73:26 (NLT)

At the beginning of the month, I talked about how important it is to take care of your heart both physically and spiritually. I shared that I can be a fitness freak. I admit it. I know that sometimes I can go to the extreme with my exercise regimen, but I feel so much better when I workout. 

I also feel better about myself when I spend time in God’s Word. When life gets busy and I don’t make my morning prayer and devotion time a priority, I get cranky and irritated. I do a Bible study that meets during the school year but breaks for the summer when school is out. When my children were younger, apparently, I wasn’t being the most pleasant person. Around July, my husband asked me, “When do you start your Bible study?” I asked,”Why?” His response was, “Because I liked you better when you are in it.” Ouch! 

It shouldn’t take a Bible study all of the time to make me a nicer person. If I am rushed and am not able to spend as much time as I would like, I at least read my favorite devotion book, “Jesus Calling,” by Sarah Young. I have had this book for several years. If you haven't ever read it, I highly recommend it.  It is a good way for me to “jump start” my heart at the beginning of the day to help me not lose focus on my Creator.

Dear Lord,

While I make physical exercise a priority to keep my heart healthy, it is just as important to keep my heart spiritually healthy by spending time in Your Word. Help me to carve out that necessary time in my day so that I can be recharged and refueled to live a life that shares the love of Jesus with those who cross my path this week. 

An update on my gift that I gave away last week: 

I gave the above cowl away to a clerk at Target that checked me out. She is always so sweet, smiles and tells me to have a good day. I thought to myself, “I wish I had my cowl with me and I would give it to her.” Well, I did have it with me, but it was in the trunk of my car, which wasn’t very convenient. So I told myself, “She must not be who God wants me to bless with it.” I loaded my groceries in the trunk (where I am also reminded when I see it that I could easily take the gift back in to her, but ignore that nudge.) 

I get in the car and I feel like God telling me, “You need to go back in and give her your gift.” I thought, “Lord, I really don’t think that is what you want me to do.” Again, I felt the prompting that I needed to go back inside and give it to her and said, “Lord, if this is You talking to me, give me the boldness to do this.” I walk back in and I don’t see her behind the register, but look to my right and she is stocking a shelf. I go up to her and say, “I have a gift for you. I knit things to give away to people that make a difference in my day. Every time I come in here and you help me, you have smile on your face and I wanted to let you know that I notice and you make a difference.” I also let her know I prayed over it too. She had tears in her eyes and gave me a big hug and thanked me. It was hard for me to not cry when I realized how such a small thing seemed to brighten her day. When I got back in the car one of my favorite songs, “All My Hope is in Jesus, “ was playing, and tears started rolling down my face. 

So while I have no idea what kind of impact what I did had on God’s Kingdom, I know that I was doing what God had called me to do. Will some of you join me and do the same?

If you are memorizing this months scripture, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”—Psalm 119:11, make sure you keep it with you as you knit this week. A reminder to to please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit Pray Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtags #ThreadsWithRed #KnitPrayShare.