My Crochet Story

A friend posted about her adventures in  learning to crochet, and so I told her about my crochet story. I thought I'd share this random story with others who may choose to read it.

My crochet story:
Around 1994, my Grandma Graham taught me how to crochet on my birthday. Then my Aunt Helen bought me a bunch of yarn for Christmas that year. I only knew how to do a basic stitch, and I'm left-handed so I had to figure that out. Thank God I generally learn many things pretty quickly. So, I began making a blanket. Last winter I finally finished the blanket. IT took me over 15 years to crochet that thing. There were two main reasons it took so long. One, I didn't always have a lot of time to work on it. Two, I didn't have room to leave it out so I'd remember to work on it. That blanket even made it into a stage production during my senior year of high school. We performed the musical "The Music Man" and I was Mrs. Paroo. I actually crocheted on set in some of the scenes. Talk about multi-tasking!

God Provides What We NEED

In my previous post I mentioned Matthew 6:25-33. When we place God and His Kingdom first, He adds "all these things", which are food, drink, and clothes.

These are types of things we need. In verses 31-33 Christ basically says, "Look. Don't worry about food, drinks, and clothes. I know you need these things. Stick with Me, keep your focus on Me, and I'll take care of you." 

Then there's Philippians 4:19: "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Both passages are so very true.

However, what are our needs? Are they simply food, drink, clothing, and shelter? A decent vehicle? A new washing machine? Money to pay medical bills? Someone to take care of the kids while you're working? A slug? A cicada?

Yes. I said a slug and a cicada. Back in the fall of 2005, during my last year of college, one evening I thought I needed a phone call or e-mail from a friend or something. It was a stressful time of the semester, and I needed something. I took a break from homework and studying to take a short walk around campus. God showed me a slug on the sidewalk. I smiled and picked it up. I like those slimy critters, and that's exactly what I needed. My King knew that. He knew I needed a slug. I was amazed. I didn't know I needed a slug, but Christ did. Before entering the dorm, God showed me a cicada on the ground in front of the door. Cicadas are one of my favorite insects, and my King knows that. I picked up that cicada with an even bigger smile on my face. I was amazed. I needed a slug, and Christ gave one to me. And He gave me a cicada as a gift. He gave me what I needed and more.

I was asking Christ for something I thought I needed, and He gave me something I needed. How many times do we ask Him for what we think we need? Matthew 6:8 says, "...for your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." In order for us to ask God for what we need, we have to know what we need, right? Well, I guess not. Because even before we know what to ask Him, He knows our needs and what He's going to do about them.

What if what we really need is a far cry from what we think we need? What if what we really need is to simply spend more time with Christ? What if what we really need is to continue trusting Him? What if what we really need is to read more of His Word? Are we willing to allow Christ to give us what we need? Or are we going to overlook it and keep asking for what we think we need? Don't get me wrong, it's okay to ask. Christ wants us to ask (Matthew 7:7-8). But, while we're asking for what we think we need, are we missing God's provision for what we really need?

If I would have been caught up in being stressed out and hoping for something, I wouldn't have noticed the slug on the sidewalk--God's provision for my need. And, if I hadn't noticed the slug, would God have still given me the cicada? I don't know. The slug was a provision, the cicada was a gift.

I'll leave you with this:

Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

God will provide what we need. And sometimes He'll amaze us even more when He chooses to give us a gift in addition to the provision.

When Making A Change

Change is inevitable, and many times difficult. Sometimes change sneaks up on us. Sometimes we're the ones wanting to make the change or changes. I've found that in whatever way change may come, it's always easier to accept with Christ's help. I've also found that when making a change, it works best when Christ is at the center and in the lead--not just of that particular change, but of my entire life. When making a change, it helps greatly if I don't rush it or try to make it happen on my own time. I do my best to be patient. I've found that allowing Christ to help make the change in His time and doing it His way is the best choice. Yeah, I know, that's not easy, either.

Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (NKJV) What are "all these things"? Anything I need (see verses 25-32). And sometimes even more. As long as I keep my focus on Christ, continue seeking Him (through talking with Him, reading His Word), and continue doing things His way, then the changes that need to made will be made--in His time. Everything will fall into place--not as I plan, but as Christ has planned.

And that's always better than what I've planned.