Tag: kindness

The Perfect Quilt

jwoodsLeave a comment

Stunning, artistic colors and designs, impeccable cutting and pristine points-each a component of the beautiful and loving quilts made by the “men in gray.’ Yes, each are created by men, but not just any men. These men are incarcerated in the Missouri penal system.

I was literally in astonishment as I viewed this documentary. They are imprisoned for crimes from illegal drugs to murder, but they must possess spotless records as inmates. Yet, this penal system recognizes these men are people, they are individuals who made tragic mistakes in their lives; most as very young men. While some of these men are now well into their senior years, they have found a purpose in life. Some are large men with hands akin to those of lumberjacks, but so tenderly and lovingly create these works of art.

Each quilt is bestowed upon a child in the foster care system. When the men choose the colors and designs for their creations, I immediately thought of how my life has been planned and designed by God. Very few individuals in life can state they planned their lives as they are now living. Most all of us have plans, but then “life happens.” Tragedy, circumstances and/or other persons alter our lives. However, as I have shared previously, nothing happens to us as God’s children,  that He hasn’t already planned for us.

Unlike the inmates checking a list of children in the foster care system needing a quilt, God already knows us and our needs. He chooses whether the quilt of our lives will be bright and colorful or softer with pastel colors. Sometimes our lives are a quilt of many colors and hues.

The blocks will contain some squares like the foundation of our homes and lives;  more planned and structured. Other blocks will have pointed triangles which may represent situations in our lives which were prominent and altered. Some blocks are appliqued with beautiful embellishments, reminiscent of those events in our lives which filled us with exultation; marriages, births and countless celebrations.

Occasionally there are quilts which are made with rows of fabric, which are the same sizes and shapes, but those are not as interesting as the quilts with more shapes and designs. All are unique and not identical unless they were mass produced in a factory.

We are not mass produced. We are all God’s unique and individual creations; flawed yet so perfect to Him. The proud inmates held up their quilts for the camera, to be viewed by hundreds of individuals before they were presented to the grateful recipient.  We too are quilts on display. There are bright vivid colors and designs of the times of challenges and trials. There are the soft hues of when our life was gentle and more routine.

When God holds up His quilts what do others see? Is the quilt still pristine as God designed it or has it been stained, ripped or cut apart because we chose to “fight” God’s plan for our lives?  Proverbs 16:9 NIV “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Would You Like a Cup of Tea?

jwoodsLeave a comment

When Calls The Heart or as we might more aptly state, “when the heart calls.” What then? What happens when our hearts call us to act. This Hallmark series doesn’t disappoint. Due to the longevity of this series, it covers all seasons and emotions of our lives. From birth through death. Instead of rags to riches, the series focuses on the life of one that had wealth, but chose to leave it to serve others, to be a part of “real life” with “real people”, those struggling to survive.

We all know the wealthy have “real lives”, but to us as outsiders, it seems their lives are surreal. Thus, when persons whether in Hollywood or in reality give all of that up to serve others, we are in awe. This is one of many of life’s lessons in this Hallmark story of life in the early twentieth century.

Certainly the romantic aspect of the series “pulls” many of us females into its’ story line. I have shed more than one tear when there are moments of giving to others more than yourself. It is seldom we experience those acts of kindness and love. Yes, the story is filled with natural disasters and “neighbors helping neighbors.”

Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of this series is that a cup of tea with a friend and neighbor seems to make all things better. It’s not only sitting down together without the distraction of cell phones, television or any of the other current  so-called conveniences, but the fact that there is always time for another person. I know while watching this series it is merely “Hallmark Hollywood”, but how I love seeing mankind care about another.

I recall a time I would have so greatly appreciated “just a moment.” While enduring the greatest heartache of my life, three separate women at church had stated, “if you ever need us, just call.” On a day when I felt I could not take even one more step, I reached out to each of the three; all without success. The first noted, “I’m busy, I’m at a restaurant.” The second stated, “I’m busy, I’m at a ball game.” With the third I left a voice mail message on her phone, but she never returned the call.

I didn’t want their physical presence or anything tangible from them. Yet, they didn’t know for they all quoted, “I’m too busy” when all I wanted was prayer. Free to them, yet a great gift to me. There was my heavenly Father, ears and heart open to my sorrows. I learned from then on, it is seldom, if not always that earthly family or friends don’t have the time or care when our needs are often the greatest.

But not in this Hallmark series! Perhaps that is the reason many of us reminisce over similar times in the series noted above. I have made it a sincere vow to stop anytime anyone asks me to “reach out” and take their hand. Like my request, it is most often just needing prayer, but if there is a physical need, I want to be there for them. I want to have those “china cup, tea” moments. We know it isn’t the tea or coffee which soothes a heart, but knowing someone gave a little of themselves when you were in great need. Hebrews 13:16 NKJ, “But do not forget to do good and to share for with such sacrifices God is well.”

Do What?

jwoods2 Comments

Can I really do this? Jesus is and was perfect. Can I really learn to love as He did? Those of us in one of the ministries at Stonebriar Community Church, pastor Chuck Swindoll, were given the book, Love Walked Among Us, Learning to Love Like Jesus, by Paul Miller. Just reading the title made my heart flicker with the reality of all persons being more loving to others.

How often do to we begin our day praying to be a “light” to those we meet and before our day has barely begun there is a situation which causes us to think and perhaps say aloud, “how can you expect me to love like Jesus? Paul states, “it’s in the little moments with friends and family that most of us reveal our true selves…How do you love someone when you get no love in return-only withdrawal or ingratitude…the person of Jesus is a plumb line to which we may align our lives.”

We know that “loving like Jesus” is not always a physical love, but an emotional and caring love. Even if we feel our world is falling apart, we can reach out to others in such love. Of course we may not “feel like” loving others. Yet, if we do, how does it change our perspective of our own lives?

Smiling at people passing by,  allowing others to cut ahead of you in lines, allowing other drivers “in.” That can be a challenging act of love when they don’t even thank you or acknowledge that you allowed them to cut ahead of you.  How often have you been in line shopping when the person ahead of you was “short” by a few cents or dollars? You gladly handed them the balance they needed.

The way we love like Jesus is immeasurable. It’s not always in acts like those just listed, but it’s how we conduct ourselves in the midst of hurt or sorrow. Recently my sole surviving aunt passed away. In her nineties, she was truly a light for Jesus until her very last day.  She endured some pain in her last weeks of life, but I learned she never had an unkind word for anyone. She was loving and gracious until her last breath. She loved like Jesus.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed when I could sit with and pray with friends over lunch or a cup of coffee. Some of these were not even friends, but strangers. I shall never forget volunteering at a local benevolence center in Oklahoma when one of the patrons needed not only food assistance, but also “Jesus love.” She needed support and prayers. I could give that and she cried as she thanked me. I cried too for it is truly a gift when we can give to others, that which costs us nothing, but our love and time.

Opportunities are plentiful. Often my prayer is that God will place someone in my path that day, which needs “His love.” Paul sums up Jesus love in this way, “ His name is recognized the world over. Christians claim to follow Him. Muslims honor him as a prophet. And many Jewish rabbis regard him as a great teacher…Jesus was love personified walking among us.” John 13:34 NIV “ a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”