Devotional: SCRAPS THAT HONOR GOD

Karen Rees @ICFWriters

“Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.” Proverbs 20:11

What decisions will you make today? Since you're reading this, you at least decided to get up this morning and access the internet. Or are you reading this while still in bed?

Once you're up, you have to decide what to wear, whether to have breakfast and, if so, what to eat. So many decisions waiting to be made.

I also have many decisions to make. I'm a missionary who works with people. I'm an author who works with words. Finally, I'm a quilter who works with scraps. In each of these areas, the decisions I make – even the small ones - will affect the outcome.

Take this pattern - Night and Noon – as an example. I made it using numerous scraps in a variety of colors all stitched together to make a pleasing whole.

This quilt top is a good reminder that my life also is made up of a million small pieces, a million small decisions. Unlike events happening in the rest of the world over which I have no control, I'm the boss when it comes to my decisions.

I decide whether I'll be patient in the grocery store line or glare at the other customers and the grocery clerk.

I decide whether to voice appreciation or complaint to a family member.

I decide whether to post something on Facebook that will build up or tear down.

I decide whether to take offense at some unintended slight or be forgiving because I've unintentionally done or said similar things.

I decide whether to share that bit of gossip someone told me.

I decide whether to lend a helping hand to someone in need or to walk on by.

I decide whether to keep that promise I made.

The decisions I make define me just as your decisions define you. James 3:13 says it well. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”

Like a quilt top made from bits and pieces, our days are filled with numerous small decisions. We may see them as nothing more than scraps. But, if we make decisions that honor God, He will stitch those scraps together and make our lives into something beautiful.

What decisions would you add to my list?

Bio: Karen Rees exchanged life as a farmer's daughter for SE Asian “big city” life when she and her husband began mission work in Hong Kong. They've worked with local Chinese, household servants imported from the Philippines and Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka.
As a result she's eaten chicken's feet, baby octopus cooked in its own ink, barbecued pig's ear and several other delicacies that she didn't ask about.
Karen is the mother of two and grandmother of three, an avid reader, quilter, lover of history and an author of historical fiction set during the English Reformation.
Facebook Author Page: https://www/facebook.com/Author.KarenRees