crafting | A Satisfied Spirit

During the Christmas season, we are often focused on gifts. Giving and receiving. Let’s look at gifting in a little different way today.

What is the one thing you’re passionate about and do better than anything else? It could be your life gift.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s creation and that He has specifically given us talents and gifts, that He ‘prepared in advance’, to use for the good of all. Although we want to connect this verse specifically to the Spiritual Gifts of Romans 12:3-8 and 1Corinthians 12: 1-11 it is much more than that.

I think our life gifts include the gift(s) of the Spirit as well as talents, abilities, and skills that are part of what makes us unique.

In Exodus 35:30-35, we are told that God gave two men specific skills and talents for building the temple. They were to teach those who wanted to help with the project these skills. In the 13th Century before Christ, (during the Exodus) He already had a plan and had given people the abilities to carry out that plan. He’s been giving specific, unique gifts to His creation ever since.

Among the life-gifts God gives are many that help the local church function. Talents and abilities such as musical abilities (composing, singing, playing instruments, performing), crafting (painting, building, sewing, designing, needle arts), home skills (cooking, cleaning, arranging, gardening)… There are so many and God wants them used for His glory!

I want to encourage you to not get wrapped up in false humility where these talents are concerned. When we say to ourselves or others that ‘I’m not as good at this or that than ________________’, we are denying what God has given us to use in our worship of Him. It is good that we recognize the talents of others but we have special gifts, talents, and skills of our own. God wouldn’t have given them if He didn’t expect us to use them.

Your life gifts are needed! Use them!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Are you curious about me? I certainly am about you? Every one of us has a story that is peculiar (Yes, that’s the right usage of the word.) to us. Here is a part of mine. There is so much more…

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My greatest desire is to teach others how much God loves them and how to use His Word to live the life He has purposed for them. In my home church, I co-direct Worship and Music, play all keyboards, and sing with the Worship Band. God has seen fit to give me the gift of teaching, which I use for leading 3 Bible Study groups. He specifically called me to writing/blogging about 5 years ago.

I have been married to the perfect partner, chosen for me by God, for more than 45 years. It was God’s plan that we would not have children but would be able to love in a unique way our nieces, nephews, and the hundreds of children who touched our lives through the years I spent in Public Education as a Music Specialist and Elementary Principal. I hold a B.S. Degree in Music Education and Performance from Defiance College and an M.Ed. Degree in Administration and Supervision from Bowling Green State University.

Our family includes two cats named Smokey and Salem, three awesome sisters and one incredible brother, 7 sisters-in-law, 7 brothers-in-law, 36 nieces and nephews and their spouses, and many great nieces and nephews.

Music has been part of my life from my earliest years. One of the greatest honors of my life was to be invited to sing in the Rose Garden of the Whitehouse with the Ohio Youth Choir at the invitation of then-President Richard Nixon.

As a 25+ year Cancer Survivor, I have been able to use that challenging time of my life to support others. It was not easy but God knew there would be many who would need a listening ear, an understanding heart, and someone who understands the value of presence without words.

From the time I was old enough to hold needles, scissors, yarn, thread, fabric, you name it, I was ‘hooked’ on crafts, particularly those that are counted. From painting count by number pictures to my grandmother teaching me to crochet, to my mother teaching me to embroider, to learning to do counted cross stitch, rug hooking, needlepoint and crewel my life has been filled with many happy hours of artful crafting. I also enjoy sewing and often make my own clothing and things for my home.

I enjoy baking and decorating. This hobby started when Ray and I owned a coffee shop/bakery called Maggi Raes. (Maggie for the carved magnolias that were part of the shop’s decorations.) I am certified in all the Wilton decorating levels and have done many wedding, birthday, and event cakes and cookies.

We love to travel, especially on cruise ships, and have been all over the Caribbean and are planning to go to Alaska for our next cruise. We also enjoy taking a few days here and there in the Smokey Mountains, believing there is nothing like sitting on a rocker, on a back porch, on top of a mountain and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

God has given me a great life and I can’t thank Him enough for His love and provision.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

(BTW: The reason this only took 5 minutes is that I copied and pasted it from a much larger article. )