For the Least

We talked yesterday about those without warmth...in celebration of that daughter's birthday today, I will continue this thought. (It was her birthday when I wrote this a couple of weeks ago, but I still honor her service today.)

It is interesting that Prov 31 doesn't clump all of the fabric work into one set of verses. They are scattered...it starts in vs 13

13 – she gathers wool and flax

• she works with her hands

19 – she uses the distaff and spindle

21- household clothed

22 – makes bedding

• makes clothing

24 – makes linen garments to sell

• makes belts and sashes

25 – clothed in strength and dignity

31 – praised for the fruit of her hands

• works praise her in the gates

What comes between all of these references to sewing and fabric?

One of them is extending her hands to the poor and stretching them out to the needy.

It is my privilege this month to talk to the quilt guild I belong to about Project Linus and other worthy causes that accept gifts of quilts, clothing, and other homemade things for the poor and needy. For those in distress. For those who do not feel the warmth of a family, a friend, or a God who loves them. These are practical needs. A quilt for warmth and comfort and at least a sense of home is welcome universally. Little dresses for Africa (or Haiti) to give warmth, cover, and dignity to girls abandoned by their families and cultures in foreign lands. Pillowcases give people something soft on which to lay their heads. Jesus said he didn't have one of those, and that meant that not having a place to lay your head was a true sign of deprivation and poverty. All of these cloth-made things are warmth and comfort to a needy world.

What are you doing with your fabric? Are you using at least some of it to warm someone's body or soul? Are you storing up this fabric like the rich man filling his barns, only for selfish ends, or is the end to be a blessing to your family and to your world? Would you have given Jesus a pillow, a place to lay His head? When you do it for the least of the brethren, you do it for Him, too. What is God showing you you can give?