“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10

When you are doing something that you enjoy, it makes it way easier to serve God. With the exception of sock knitting (I’m getting there😬), sitting down to knit it something I look forward to doing. I know when I am knitting that it calms my mind as well as creating something that I am able to share with others.

Last week I shared how I have no doubt that this was a hobby ordained by God because of how it has all transpired. If every time I sit down to knit, I dislike doing it, then something is wrong. I can’t touch people if my attitude of serving is dread. You can’t either. You have to be doing something that you enjoy.

Why on earth I decided to go to a church knitting group to learn is beyond me. I was looking for a hobby to fill some idle time. Honestly, I thought I would catch on and be this awesome knitter. Not quite how it all happened. Initially, I failed miserably. I wanted to give up but for some reason I persisted. I’m still not a master knitter, but in all honesty I don’t aspire for that. Using tiny needles or following difficult patterns which require me to really focus on what I am doing stresses me out…I know my limits.

Looking back, I now know the reason I didn’t quit was because of those “nudges” from the Holy Spirit to keep going. God placed in me a desire to make prayer shawls to bless people going through some type of grief. God put fellow knitters in my path to encourage me when I was on the verge of tears. Now, here I am 15 years later, still knitting and still blessing people with gifts that I make.

Other than a few kitchen scrubbies and washcloths here and there, I very rarely make anything to keep for myself. This is probably why I stick to quick and easy patterns. I can crank out more things to give away when I knit these kind of gifts. This was clearly the path God wanted me to take. If His call was for me to create intricate patterns, He would have given me that skill. He didn’t. I am okay with that and no longer compare myself to those who are more gifted than me in that area.

Do you feel God tapping at your heart? Has He opened a door but you are afraid to take a step toward it because you don’t feel you are the most qualified even though He has equipped you with a skill that you enjoy that you can share with others? The challenge is realizing if what you are doing is from you or from God. Do doors keep closing or is it all falling in place? How do you respond to those “nudges” to do something for someone else?

Are you academically gifted in a certain area? Maybe you can volunteer to tutor at a homeless shelter or an organization that is helping people obtain their GED. Do you have a “flair” for fashion or design? God can use you at a women’s shelter to share that gift. I don’t know your strengths but you do. If God is leading you, He will give you the courage and confidence to share the passion He has placed inside of you. It is up to you on how you respond.

Dear Lord, 

Thank You that You use unqualified people like me to share Your love. If You have called someone to do something that doesn’t feel equipped, I ask t that You give them the courage to respond in faith not fear to the door You have opened for them. I thank You for Your promise in Isaiah 41:10 that You will strengthen, help and hold me up with Your victorious right hand! It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

If you are memorizing Hebrews 13:8, how are you doing?

July Memory Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8

Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.