“Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:“Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.”—Matthew 10:8 (MSG)

In the God’s Word Bible translation of the above verse, it ends with, Give these things without charging, since you received them without paying. This is how I feel about my knitting. I have people ask all of the time, Can I pay you for this? Or, I will pay you to make something for me. For me, being paid for what I make, takes the meaning out of it. It is a privilege for me to have the time to sit, knit and pray over whatever I am making. If I am getting paid to do that, it doesn’t feel right. I do it because I am being led by God, not by money.

God wants to use those that are already working for Him. My knitting ministry is one of the ways God has done that with me. Many people I know knit gifts and keep for themselves or give to someone they know. I prefer to knit gifts to donate to charities or give away to people that I don’t really know. 

When I give away my knit gifts, there are no strings attached. I do it because I want someone to know that I notice them and they matter….that’s it. I don’t have a website selling what I am making. This is my way of trying to share the love of Jesus in my little corner of the world. God has been able to use my heart of compassion and generosity to live out His calling for me. 

You don’t have to have a degree in theology to serve the Lord. He uses ordinary people like you and me to share His love. He doesn’t choose the most qualified, He chooses those who will be obedient when He calls them. 

However, in order for Him to be able to use us, we have to make ourselves available. Think about where in your life, you can carve out some extra time so that you can position yourself to be used by God? Last month I wrote about prayer walking in your neighborhood. Not only is this an easy way to start with something small, but you can also get some exercise while you are doing it!

Small simple acts of kindness can have ripple effects in our community. I wrote this post last month not sure when I was going to post it, but after finding out our new sermon series at church is called, Ripple Effects,” I knew now was the right time for it. We all have opportunities to change the direction of someones day with kind words and actions. Where can you do that this week?

Dear Lord,

Thank You that You are able to use me to share the love of Jesus to plant seeds through my kinds words and actions. Open my eyes to the lost and confused people right here in my neighborhood. Use me to create ripple effects in the lives of those around me. Reveal to me this week how and where I can live out Your calling for me. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen. 

February Memory Verse

“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.”—Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

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.