“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Eccl. 9:10
When J.’s daughter approached her to make her a lacey collar to put on her dress like the other children had at church, J. was troubled. She could not afford to buy the fancy collar that was so popular for the girls to wear at the time, and she had never made anything that intricate before.
Her daughter encouraged her to make one. “They have how-to books, Mom. You can get the fiber at the store,” the daughter suggested.
It is so hard for anyone, especially a mother, to turn down a child’s requests. After begging God to help her do such a project, she went to the store, bought a knitting needle, and the necessary thread. After carefully following the directions, and working some of the night, the accessory for her daughter’s dress was completed.
The next morning her daughter proudly wore the dress collar to school. God had allowed J. to do something she never imagined she could do.
Later, a young girl approached J. with what the young child thought was a collar like all the other girls had. She boasted she had one like the other children, but it was only the lining from some clothing and looked nothing like what the other girls were wearing. J. was burdened to make one for that girl also. After some long hours and hard work, J. presented the dress accessory to the girl. The girl was ecstatic over the love and concern that J. would make her something.
J.’s lifetime ministry had started all because she saw the need of others, and allowed God to enable and use her to meet it. Her hands were kept busy over many following decades as one sewing need after another was shown to her. All must have been encouraged that someone thought enough of them to give her own time, and often at her own expense, to meet their needs. She was showing many what love in action was. What a good Christian testimony she was to so many.
Not everyone is called, burdened, or qualified to be a preacher, Sunday school teacher, music director, or some other prominent ministry in church. However, everyone can do something to meet the needs of others and be a good, Christian testimony. Everyone, in church and all around us, has needs.
Over the years I have seen many that wanted to serve the Lord and to make a difference in the lives of others. They have used their skills and abilities to fix cars for widows, keep the bus ministry rolling, watch children for single parents, sing in the choir, visit those that are housebound due to illness, and so many other helps. They saw a need, put their Christianity in action, and gave a most valuable gift — themselves.
The requirement to be a blessing and an encouragement to others is not so much skill, but a willing heart, and compassion to see and meet the needs in other’s lives. Everyone needs help from time to time. Helping others is one is one way to show the love of Christ to those who may have never seen Christian love in action.
It is easy to talk about loving people, but the world needs more who are willing to show it. Helping others is one way one can be the Christian example the world needs to see. Whatever need you see, put your hand to the task and help.
“And of some have compassion, making a difference:” Jude 1:22
“It is amazing how much God can accomplish through an imperfect person who has put all his imperfections completely at God’s disposal.” — Author Unknown
