“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”—Philippians 2:4 (NLT)
When my daughter chose to go to Harding University for graduate school, one of the things that she wanted to do was participate in their summer program to Zambia. I went to the presentation with her at the school tour but wasn’t sold on her doing it. While I am sure there is a need for speech pathologists there, I was much more comfortable with her coming home for the summer to get her clinic hours.
Fall of 2019, she made the decision that she was going to raise funds so she could go. I’ve got to admit, I was not on board with her going. Her dad and I told her she was going to have to raise the $4400 on her own.
I was praying, Lord, Your will be done. I know if this is where You want Danielle that she will raise the needed money. Over Thanksgiving break she got this idea to make clay earrings. She put them on a card that said, “Thanks for helping me get from A to Z” with a picture of Arkansas and Zambia on it. That was the start of A to Z clay on Instagram.
Little did she know it would take off and not only funded her trip, but also provided some spending money for it too. I told her, you know the mom in me was having a hard time wanting my daughter to spend 6 weeks in Africa, but I see how God has provided for you, so I know this is exactly where He wants you. Only God could lay that idea on her heart to make the earrings. She hadn’t ever made them. This was a new venture for her. It all fell in place, which has gave me peace.
While her trip was cancelled last summer, she had the option to transfer it for this summer. She could have received all her money back and put that towards her school tuition. All but one of her cohorts took that option. Because of the way the school year has been, she has not gotten to know those in class below her that are going, so I was shocked she still wanted to go. Typically there is at least a group of 20. This year only 9 people went with 2 of those being faculty.
Rather than stay in the states and start a new job in an air-conditioned building, she and the others are walking 4 miles a day to get to and from the orphanage where they will be working. In fact, she is there right now as I type this. They have all made the choice to make some sacrifices this summer to do Kingdom work.
She is in the midst of planning her August wedding and a job search. She had plenty of reasons to cancel this trip, but knew it was where God wanted her. I am not sure I could have done the same. I have no doubt she will be spiritually blessed for her obedience.
How many times do you or I not step out in faith because we have too much to do or rationalize because we would rather do something else? I would like to think that I live out Philippians 2:4, but know there are many times, I am more me focused. In all honesty, my Knit, Pray, Share gift giving has not been as frequent at I would like. I try to justify my actions by telling myself that I haven’t felt God impress on my heart who to give a gift. However, I know a few times, I have thought, I should give him/her a gift, but don’t because I am in a rush thinking of only my interests and not those of others too.
If you are like me and tend to beat yourself up for missing the boat on ministering to someone God has put in your pathway. Take heart, every day is a new beginning. You can join me to make a more conscious effort this week to be a light in someone’s day. It is never too late to make an eternal impact in the Kingdom of God. What do you plan on doing this week to do that? I plan on giving away at least one knit gift.
Dear Lord,
Please forgive me when I let my selfish desires come between You and me. I want You to use me to make an eternal impact in the life of one person. Give me the wisdom, words, or actions to be a light to someone this week. I thank You for Your grace and mercy when I miss an opportunity to minister to someone that You have put in my pathway. It is in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus that I pray these things. Amen
May Memory Verse
“It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” –2 Corinthians 3:5 (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.