Silk saris, flower bouquets, a meal…
*a friend’s knitting project…
*fresh flowers…
*clothing poor women in India…
*shredded silk saris…
*a meal with friends…
*a sermon on care for others, including widows…
These topics may not look like they connect, but they do, in my mind, having happened all in one weekend to emphasize a point and a ministry…
First, I commented on a friend’s beautiful knitting project she is working on, having shared it on Facebook…I known her most of her life, her parents, grandparents…in ministry and out…one of her grandmothers taught on of the first women’s Bible study I ever attended..
Second, another friend brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers…giving to and encouraging others …thank you…
Third and fourth, I was sorting and downsizing my work/craft closet and came upon some leftover yarn made of shredded Indian saris.This beautiful silk yarn, I was told at the time I bought it, was made from cast off saris of widows in India…an acquaintance used to collect funds before going to India each year to buy new saris for the very poor widows she worked with. (There was the potential that they could then sell their used saris for yarn-learned from another source)
I am sending my sari yarn to the friend who is knitting.
Fifth, A meal of Mediterranean spices and a new recipe was shared with me, a widow.
Sixth, a sermon on caring…I love the story of Dorcas in the Bible, her servant’s heart, her caring for others…her life well lived…giving…supplying clothing for the poor…the love she gave out comes back in full measure…abundance, pressed down and pouring over…the example for us today…we all can give in the ways God calls us…quietly or upfront…with drum rolls or in secret…generosity played out…thank you…
Thank YOU for pulling the weekend together with a theme, a lesson…it is amazing to see Your “fingerprints “ in our thoughts, events…
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.
Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room.
All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed.
Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”
She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet.
Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.
This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
Acts.9.36-42
I like that last line…”many believed”…I hope that people believed not only from the healing Peter did, but from the good works that
Dorcas preformed as well…her care for them…her love…
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke.6.38
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.
1Tim.5:3-12, 16
Thank You for giving to the Lord…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y
https://www.darngoodyarn.com/blogs/darn-good-blog/the-story-behind-sari-silk-ribbon
https://www.inspirajournals.com/uploads/Issues/1307881203.pdf
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