“The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.”—Colossians 3:15 (GNT)
You don’t have to knit a gift to lift someone’s spirit. Bringing a friend or neighbor dinner or a cup of coffee can open the door for you to minister to them in some way.
However, it doesn’t have to be something you make. Sending a quick text, to let someone know they are on your mind and asking if there is any way you can pray for them can also brighten their day.
Speaking life into someone is just as meaningful as me giving away a knit gift. Thanking someone for something that might otherwise go without being noticed will impact someone more than you may ever know. A simple thank you from someone can change their heart.
In fact, a few weeks ago I had a giveaway on my YouTube channel for reaching 1000 followers. Imagine my surprise when I received a handwritten thank you note from the winner shortly after she received it.
Her kind and encouraging words filled my heart with gratitude. I don’t write this devotion or make videos on YouTube for recognition. I do it for the Lord. However, God also knows every now and then I need some reassurance to keep on doing what I am doing. He always does it at the exact time I need it.
I have shared how there have been times I believe the lies of the enemy that what I am doing isn’t making an impact. When I get in that mindset, I need to redirect my focus to the eternal things I do.
Got knows the enemy schemes of planting seeds of doubt in my mind to stop writing a weekly devotion or taping a YouTube episode. Logistically, a weekly taping might not be possible, but I can write from anywhere.
I know my obedience to my calling is not in vain. God will bring glory out of it. If plant the seeds for only one person to be led to Jesus through a gift I give them or a blog post I write, it is worth it. I trust God will provide fruit from my labor. We need to be okay with not being able to see what blossoms from what we plant.
I may not get to witness the impact of my brief interactions with someone, but I have to believe giving a gift to a stranger, a kind word or unexpected smile will have some kind of ripple effect. Generosity is the heart of our faith. God generously pours out His love to us so we can pour it into others.
Our small act of kindness/obedience can be used to alter the course of lives around us. It reflects God’s love. In our ordinary faithfulness, God is behind the scenes orchestrating extraordinary things to occur. We have to remember the saying; while we may not be able to change the world, we can change one person’s world.
Who needs compassion today? God’s hand of love flows through us to the needy. The clerk we speak kind words to may feel invisible. Us acknowledging them may seem small, but it shows that they are seen. Words and actions that lift someone up hold eternal significance.
Father God,
Forgive me when I listen to seeds of doubt the enemy is planting in my mind. May I remember that all I do in the name of Jesus matters to You and has kingdom impact. Help me to see people around me through Your eyes. May Your love flow through me in everyday moments. Use me to reflect Your heart to our broken hurting world. May I spend my life loving and thanking You for the free gift of salvation, You have given me. I ask for You to lead me to someone this week who needs encouragement. I lift those up to You who are hesitant to speak words of life into someone they don’t know. Empower them to be bolder this week. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
November Verse
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”—Psalm 113:3
If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, 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.