Odds and ends

I’ve been trying to get some things finished up and make time for stuff I’ve put off.

With all the changes of late, I’m needing to get some projects either done or gone.

Throughout my life, I’ve had “projects”.

Normally, some form of craft.

As a child my mother taught me to embroider, just simple stitches, but I would gladly run for my work to show grownups.

I also remember decorating all kinds of things with buttons.

Our elderly lady neighbor taught me to crochet.

Mom is left-handed so she couldn’t teach me as I’m right-handed.

I had mounds of paper crafts, everything from drawings to construction paper cut-outs.

As a teen I branched out into painting.

Watercolor was my favorite, but I did acrylic and oil.

I also dried flowers.

After I got married I started scrapbooking and did a little rubber stamping.

I also sewed.

My favorite craft is crocheting.

Anyone might guess this if they saw what I get for Christmas!

As of right now I have three sewing projects which have gotten pushed aside.

However, I have been able to finish up most of my crocheting.

The final project is making a replacement table runner for my dining room.

It’s nearly finished and I’m excited to see it in use.

As I prayerfully work through my projects, I’m so thankful for the opportunity.

Part of the reason I make things is my desire to “work with my hands”, but the main reason is the joy of doing something useful, to glorify God.

For life has taught me that things are always changing, but the possibility of using what I have for Him is constant.

Whether I’m piecing scraps of old jeans for a blanket or cooking a meal for our family, I’m blessed to be able to give my time to God.

I want all that I do to bring honor and glory to God.

Proverbs 31:30 NKJV — Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the different gifts and abilities which You bless each of us with. Thank You that these things can be used for Your glory. Lord Jesus, unto You do I want all my efforts to be focused on. Lord, I don’t want to do anything from my own desires or my own ideas, but instead I want to be centered upon You in all things. Lord, it is easy to get caught up with the busy of life and to forget to check my heart and my schedule with You. Please do not allow me to stray into my own ways, but instead call me, that I might return quickly to You. Thank You, Jesus for Your patience. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for teaching me so much each and every day. May my life bring glory to Your name. Amen.

January 15

Today’s prayer:

Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute.
Psalms 81:1‭-‬2 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for all Your wonderous ways. Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. To worship You is such a privilege and blessing. How great You are! Lord, may our hearts never weary of praising You. Lord, may our lives be centered upon You and our minds filled with Your Word. Lord, teach us Your Word. Let our hearts be filled with Your wisdom, Your understanding. Lord Jesus, please let our lips praise You, for Your works are wonderful. In all that we do, help us to do these things into You. To bring glory and honor to Your name. Please let us be people of praise. Thank You for Your faithfulness and unending love. Thank You for salvation! Please touch the needy, protect the innocent, return the prodigal, and save the lost. Thank You, for Your ways are perfect and Your plans are best. We love You, Jesus. Amen.

December 4

Today’s prayer:

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord , Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalms 121:1‭-‬4 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for these words and the entire Bible. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness and Your unending love. Lord, how great and majestic You are! How great and greatly to be praised. Your Word is truth. Your ways are good. You are merciful and full of compassion. Your grace is amazing and Your provision timely. Lord Jesus, there are many times I can not understand what is occurring around me,nor do I see how You are working, but I know that You are. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and an encouragement to my heart. Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all honor, all praise, all glory. May the nations be filled with the know of You. May our hearts be dedicated to Your service alone. May we put off anything which would hinder or ensnare us, keeping our hearts from completely following You, Lord Jesus. Please, heal, return, save, provide, and protect. Let those who have yet to know You turn and be saved. Please raise up godly leaders in every area from parents to medical staff to politicians to judges. Thank You. I love You, Lord. Thank You for all Your wonderous works. Amen.

November 27

Today’s prayer:

Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth.
Psalms 33:2‭-‬4 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for this day. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness in every day. Lord Jesus, it is in You alone we find comfort, security, and truth. Lord Jesus, it is only through You that we can be saved. Thank You for dieing on the cross and rising again to give us freedom from sin. Lord Jesus, please make Your ways seen, let even those who do not fear You, see and understand that You are God Almighty. Lord, please strengthen Your people. Let those who are called by Your name praise You wherever they are. Let them seek Your face and put off those things which are not honorable before You. Lord, let those called by Your name be filled with love, wisdom, and long suffering. Please make us more like You every day. Help us to shine Your truth to those who have yet to know You. Lord, please place Your Word in our mouths, Your will in our hearts, and Your perspective into our understanding. Thank You! Jesus, I lift up the poor, the weak, the sick, the broken, the lost, the prodigal, and the innocent before You. Lord, please reach through each one’s circumstances and touch, heal, mend, save, return, and protect. Lord, please put an end to violence and oppression of the helpless. Thank You that You love them more than life itself, that’s why You died. Thank You. We praise Your holy name. Amen.

November 21

Today’s prayer:

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord ; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord .” So they worshiped the Lord there.
I Samuel 1:27‭-‬28 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your faithfulness! Lord, I love the heart of Hannah, how she asked of You and gave her son to You. I love how he became a godly man, serving You all his days. Lord, as a mother, I have given the children You have placed in our home back to You. I know they belong to You and You love them more than I can possibly imagine. Lord Jesus, please let each one follow and serve You their whole lives. Please let their faith spread to those around them, that they might be testimonies to You. Lord, please help me to be diligent in my life, that I might know how to pray for them, how to encourage them, how to confront them, how to be the mother they need most. Lord Jesus, please help me to be the wife who loves and supports her husband, an example for my daughters and a blessing to my husband. Lord Jesus, for those who are in different circumstances than mine, please guide and direct them. Please teach them how to pray, how to listen for Your Word. Lord Jesus, please hold them in Your hand and guide their hearts with Your Word. Lord, You alone are worthy of all praise, all honor, all glory. You save the lost. You return the prodigal. You heal the sick, the hurting, the broken. You protect the innocent. You feed the hungry. May the world understand Who You are and what You have done, that Your name might be glorified! Thank You, Jesus! Amen.