At a time when masks are in such high demand, a group of ladies at my church, who are known as "Common Threads", decided to start making masks for Hospice! And you know they are all made with pretty fabric and lots of love! Once again, showing the patients, families and health care workers that we care about them and appreciate them! Our pastor mentioned a cousin who works at a small doctor’s office and they need masks, so our Common Threads are busy making masks for them! I am so proud of them for seeing a need and acting on it! 1 John 3: 17, “ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” They are showing the love of Christ!
Although the church building is closed, the church is not! In the sermon Sunday, online, we heard, "the church is a movement not a monument!" We have no idea how our actions are affecting people! In these uncertain times, people are watching Christians and how we react. What is different about us? We should be showing others that we have hope! We have hope in Jesus! The ladies at home sewing these masks are sewing seeds for God! The group is still making their pillow cases which they are known for.
During this tough time, God can bring about great change! The Holy Spirit is at work! Acts 2: 1-4, 40-42, “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them...With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
I received an article and the headline story was "Woman Made Thousands of Pillowcases to Bring Cheer to Patients." They were sharing the story of a lady who had died. Her husband had been in Hospice in 2010 and she said a group from my church made pillowcases with bright butterflies for the patients at the care center, to lift their spirits and provide a personal touch." Her husband had received one of their pillowcases.
After her husband’s death, she was interested in making cheerful pillowcases for patients in her county. She hadn’t made the pillowcases before, but she watched the group making pillowcases and decided she could do that. "She made pillowcases for members of the Armed Services receiving care in military hospitals, sending them as far away as Germany…..And many of her special pillow cases were designed specifically for children for the Ronald McDonald House.” She made pillows and lap blankets for those in the nursing home and pillows for people to prop their elbows on or heart pillows for women who have had mastectomies….She would pray over each one and imagine who might be receiving it Each one was made with love. It brought her so much joy…” Look how this gift keeps on giving. God used this lady as another servant and witness! And she was blessed! God brought such good out of her sadness. Romans 8: 28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
I cannot imagine how many stories like this are out there. Because these ladies were willing to help out another lady, Hospice and now a doctor’s office, so many more people are reached. All in the name of Jesus! These tangible gifts bringing comfort to countless patients and families. Even when the doors are closed we have opportunities to sew seeds from our homes! What can you do to sew seeds for God? A note to someone? A phone call to someone? Whose day can you make today? Let's be the church!