As I sat down to sew the other day, I smiled at the resources available to me. Abundant light illuminated my workspace. I sifted through a nice collection of fabric and thread to choose the perfect colors for my project. The machine hummed beautifully as it stitched perfect seams. Everything my hands touched represented a gift from God, allowing me to delight in sewing my project.
My sewing corner is just one of the God-given gifts that brings delight to my days. Gifts and blessings from God abound throughout our home, representative of the things He provides when we trust Him. Sometimes I forget, however, that those gifts were not given simply for my own personal enjoyment.
I am reminded of David’s prayer over the donations the Israelites gave for the purpose of building the temple. Because of David’s role as warrior, God commanded that he not build the temple. David’s son Solomon, a king of peace, would complete the building project instead. David knew he could still have a hand in the completion of this dream, however. So, he poured his energy into collecting a large portion of the resources that would be needed for the temple. As the king and his people rejoiced over the abundance of offering, David lifted his heart in a prayer of thanksgiving. One predominant thought stands out in David’s prayer, summed up in a couple of verses.
But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You.
O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours. 1 Chronicles 29:14, 16
Everything I have flows from God’s hand. He has blessed me so abundantly. What am I doing with those blessings? Am I just enjoying them myself, selfishly clinging to the gifts? Too often that is the case.
While I enjoyed my sewing time on that particular day, I also spent some time in prayer. I asked the Lord to show me how I could use the wonderful gifts of my sewing resources to honor Him. I prayed that He would show me ways I could give it all back to Him. Since then I have looked around my home and prayed the same over other gifts He has given my family. No immediate and brilliant idea revealed itself to me, but a joy filled my heart just the same. I know He will show us how to take the gifts He has given to our family and return them to Him. He will guide us to use them for His glory in obedience to His command. Even as I anticipate what God is going to do, I sense just a small sample of the joy David felt as he rejoiced with his people.
Not Quite Ordinary 