“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.” (ESV)—Psalm 112:7

I was planning on talking about our hearts for all of February but something happened this past week that I wanted to share. I think it is easy in the midst of our every day life to miss God’s love for us. 

For those of you that don’t know me, God laid it on my heart a few years ago to write a Knit-Along devotion book. I put it aside because in all honesty, I was afraid to pursue it. What if it wasn’t what God wanted me to do? What if no-one is interested in it? Why would God really call me to do this? How can I write a blog that has to do with Jesus and knitting?

For about 6 months I was getting messages from the Lord that I needed to pursue it. I kept ignoring them because of those questions swirling around in my head. Finally, last February, the pastor at our church said, “If God keeps calling you to do something and you don’t do it, He will ask someone else!” Yikes! I knew God was telling me, “Lisa I have told you to do this, I will be with you, if you don’t do this, then I will ask someone else.”

“Okay, Lord, if You are calling me to do this, I know You will be with me on this journey, so lead me to where I need to go.” After church, I got on the computer and looked up Christian Writer’s conferences. I found the SoCal Christian Writer's Conference that was in June. Not only was it one where I could stay onsite but there were still spots for me to meet with publishers and agents.

This was definitely outside of my comfort zone. I was going in faith not knowing anyone at this conference and signed up to have a random roommate. However I felt that this was where God wanted me to be and I wasn’t going to ignore His promptings anymore. 

Long story short, I not only found an agent that wanted to represent me but she was also a knitter! I had two very encouraging appointments with publishers who loved my idea. My roommate, who was volunteering at the conference was also a knitter. I couldn’t believe how God provided and confirmed what He was calling me to do.

My agent has sent my book proposal to several publishers. Last week, I found out that it was going before an editorial committee. The morning that I got the email that they were going to pass on it, God prepared my heart by giving me this scripture: "He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.” (ESV)—Psalm 112:7  I wrote in my journal, “no matter what news I get regarding my book, I will not fear because the Lord has a plan and that He hasn’t led me down this path without a purpose. Lord, help me to be able to trust You and Your perfect ways."

Despite the disappointing news from that one publisher, I had peace. As if that scripture wasn’t enough of a gift, a few hours later I had a lunch that one of the women in my knitting group offered to host at her house. While there, I shared with the ladies the email I had received. One of them got up, got a pen out of her purse and said, “God laid it on my heart to make you a pen a few months ago and it wasn’t until this weekend that it all came together and I finished it. It is black with the red to show how our sins our covered by the blood of Christ like Threads with Red. Don’t give up on writing.”

Tears fill my eyes as I type that. To think that God orchestrated that to happen on that very day when He knew I was feeling discouraged about doing something that I feel He has so clearly called me to do. From the scripture He gave me during my quiet time, the lunch fellowship with my knitting friends to that handmade pen given to me, God was with me. God is good and not only does God love and care about what happens to me, He also loves as cares about what happens to you.

Are you looking at how God blesses you during your day? Has He given you friendships that help hold you up when you don’t feel like standing? Did you wake up with less pain than you had yesterday? Has the sun finally peeked out of the clouds on a dreary day? I know that we all have struggles, but in the midst of them, I try and find that sliver of light to keep me going and remind me of God’s love. Will you try and do the same this week?

Dear Lord,

I thank You for Your unending love, grace and mercy. No matter what I face today, good or bad, my heart is firm trusting in You. I ask that You open my eyes to the blessings that surround me this week. I thank You for special friendships that lift me up when I am down. I pray that if someone reading this right now doesn’t have that kind of relationship, that You lead them to someone that can be that kind of friend to them. I pray these things in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus. Amen!

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. Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the K nit Pray Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtags #ThreadsWithRed #KnitPrayShare.