Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
March 25, 2024
Acts of the Apostles 9:36-42
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas). Her life overflowed with good works and compassionate acts on behalf of those in need. 37 About that time, though, she became so ill that she died. After they washed her body, they laid her in an upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two people to Peter. They urged, “Please come right away!” 39 Peter went with them. Upon his arrival, he was taken to the upstairs room. All the widows stood beside him, crying as they showed the tunics and other clothing Dorcas made when she was alive. 40 Peter sent everyone out of the room, then knelt and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and raised her up. Then he called God’s holy people, including the widows, and presented her alive to them. 42 The news spread throughout Joppa, and many put their faith in the Lord.
Good Morning! Blessed be the name of the Lord!
I recently received a phone call from a woman who asked if I could bless a prayer shawl that she had knitted. We decided to meet at the church and she brought the shawl to be blessed. Before going into the sanctuary, I asked her to share her story regarding who would receive the shawl.
She shared an amazing story of transforming love. A good friend with whom she had worked many years had recently died and she had knitted the shawl for her daughter. This is a good story in itself, but there is so much more. Her friend had been a knitter and had baskets full of yarn which she was gifted by the daughter. An interesting twist is that the daughter of the woman was this person’s daughter-in-law.
The relationship between the one who was sharing the story and the daughter-in-law was strained. It sounded as if they tolerated each other for the sake of the son/spouse. Regardless of their issues, the woman who came to me felt called by God to use some of her friend’s yarn to knit a shawl to comfort her daughter.
Through the knitting, the woman chose colors that were favorites of her friend, and learned old-fashioned stitches that also represented her friend’s work. Despite her feelings for the daughter, she created a beautiful shawl filled with stitches of love to sustain beautiful memories. As I held the shawl and blessed it, I felt God’s love and the Holy Spirit at work in providing a new connection among the friend, the knitter, and her daughter-in-law.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. We hear stories of love and we are blessed. Thank you for sending Jesus so that we might be saved. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God can show us how to use our gifts for good.
Allow the Holy Spirit to work through you! Pastor Liz