Mom Lived Ninety-five Years

Mom taught me a lot of things...

to finish my work

to work with my hands

to read and respect the written word

to love fiercely

to laugh

to cry

to hug

to cherish my family

to grow flowers

to love Jesus and share His hope.

Thank you, Mom

In remembrance of my mother, Maxine Frost

1927-2022

 

Created to do Good Work

Ephesians 4:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

With a cardboard template, I cut the pieces from colorful fabrics.

I've been a crafter for as long as I can remember. For many years I sewed quilts, three layered blankets sewn together from the underneath to the top with tiny stitches, then bound around the edges. When I first attempted to make a  quilt, I did everything by hand. I fussy cut the pieces using a cardboard or plastic template and a pair of scissors. Then I handstitched the pieces together with needle and thread and quilted by hand. As I learned more methods over the years, I mastered the rotary cutter and sewed pieces together on my machine. No matter how I made the quilt, I knew the purpose. They were created to provide warmth and comfort for my family.

When I look around at people, I see how unique each human is. Like my quilts, made in a variety of designs from different fabrics, people vary too. My personality, stature, intellect, skills, and experiences set me apart because God created me to be myself. He formed me before I was born and gave me unique attributes.

As God made me, He knew my purpose. He knew why I needed to live on earth at this time and in this place. As a believer in Christ, I try to do good work. For me, the good works reflect in my writing (or at least I hope so.) The abilities, desires, and talents God instills in a person is a guide to the reason God created them. Some folks have wonderful musical abilities, some speak, some listen, some smile and share kindness, while others may minister to folks' physical needs.

In whatever way God created me to be, He is the one who knows my purpose and guides my path. Growing up in a time when everything pointed to "finding yourself," I had to look past society and seek God's word and pray for his revelation to who I am.

Do good work for God, our creator.

What's in Their Future?

Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts—humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.

The gold and black robes fluttered in the breeze.

Saturday morning, the sun shone on the rows of graduates and their teachers. Emily sat in the second row, ready to receive her high school diploma. The superintendent and principal poured words of wisdom and encouragement over the seniors. In a few short minutes, the young men and women would lift their tassels and place them on the other side of their mortarboards as a symbol of their future endeavors and freedom.

Several of the graduates would take jobs in the workforce (we certainly need them right now.) Many planned to head to college for more education and preparation, a few planned to head into the military. I applaud them all and pray for their futures.

Throughout my life, I’ve been privileged to work with books. If I were to choose one earthly element, besides people, that I truly love and couldn’t live without, it would be books (well, books and chocolate.) I’ve worked in libraries, read out loud to hundreds of children, reviewed many books, critiqued books for folks, and I write. As a follower of Jesus, I believe he has called me to his work. He equipped me for a future that included books, because he knew my heart and understood my love of the written word.

As the students stood before us and tossed their hats in the air, I wondered where each one would go in their life. I know Emily has a future in the art world. God has gifted her with great talent. From my perspective and experience, I can say their paths will curve and twist, and there will be starts and stops. Maybe the dreams will change. But if God calls us to his work, he will equip us and opens doors of opportunity.

Where is God leading you? Who has he created you to be? Are you listening? He’s offering his guidance.

Blessed to Work

1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12
Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

My dad shared his wisdom through actions more than his words. He taught my siblings and me to be responsible and have a solid work ethic. How did he do that? He set the standard by working hard himself. By trade he was a welder. But he was also a man who could fix most anything. I remember when Tim and I purchased a house that needed a lot of fixing, I came home from work and found him and my daughter, Hannah, on the roof repairing the shingles. He was in his seventies. After I finished freaking out a little, he assured me he was fine and not to worry. He went back to his work and patched up the roof.

I'm thankful I learned to work hard. Both Dad and Mom taught us to be responsible and respectful. Not just in our daily labor, but in the work we do for Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4 is one of my favorite passages. I've been a crafter for years, and I work on the computer every day. So I've literally worked with my hands my whole life. In leading a quiet life, I hope I've blessed others as I've labored for Jesus. In Thessalonians, Paul is telling the people not to rest on their laurels, but to continue in their daily work and their efforts for the Lord. I pray we can instill responsibility and respect in younger folks, so that they will learn the value of hard work, both in their jobs and in loving Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Work with all Your Heart

1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters...

In Bible college we learned about working in ministry. Many of my classmates went on to be pastors, children's ministers, and youth leaders. But most of us have worked in secular jobs. Teachers, carpenters, office managers, and librarians. I'd been home with my children for years before I worked in public. Raising kids had been my ministry and I enjoyed it. I loved encouraging and shaping their lives and ministering to their friends.

Dad was a cook in the service.

When I entered the workforce, I struggled to figure out how I was to minister when I wasn't in a ministry position. I wasn't prepared. I had days where I thought what's the point. Sure, I earned money and liked what I was doing. But, how was I to show people Jesus. When I read Colossians 3:23 it started to make sense. Whatever I do, I do for God. It's all for him. I needed to be a faithful employee, honest, encouraging and serving. So whoever I worked with or met saw Jesus in me. I have a confession. I still have days when I get down and wonder what I'm doing. Just last week I felt that way. My friend posted Col. 3:23 on Facebook, and  there it was-- the verse I needed. As a believer, no matter what I'm doing each day as long as I'm obedient and faithful to God, my work is valuable to him. He sets my path, as long as I work with all my heart and with faith, I know I'm fulfilling his purpose.