1 Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms."
The first gift from the most influential women in my life was a quilt which belonged to my mother, whom I lost December 12, 2007 she will be the number one Influential women in my life. She was my best friend, my cheerleader, and my greatest fan. My mother was not your typical mother, she endured many loses, disappointments, and heartaches, which eventually led her to a heroin addiction. My mother suffered at the hands of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for one third of her life. The quilt represents restoration, reconciliation and reconstruction which were the patches God used to stitch us back together as mother and daughter. Through God’s love I was made whole. Through His forgiveness, I was empowered to forgive, through His example I was able to follow, through His compassion I was able to walk in her footsteps if only for a moment I understood the pain she endured. The lesson in the quilt for me is our lives are but a patchwork of moments that we endure, enjoy, and experience on various levels. Those moments in our lives create our quilt the same patches that had caused us pain are the same patches God uses to cover us in His love and mercy. Every quilt has a story to tell. Some quilts are in the early stages of becoming a quilt you can’t in actuality cover with them, although they offer only a few patches to warm your feet, what patches they have, they offer believing one day to extend enough to cover. Other quilts just crossed over the finish line, the last stitch has been sown the last patch has been put in place, and they are ready to extend their life’s experiences to help you. At first their quilt stays in their closet but as life goes on they find themselves gravitating to the quilt so others can be ministered to through their experiences. One day they look up and realize someone sitting in their house covered in their quilt while sipping on a cup of coffee, the healing begins as they share their life about their God.
photo credit - filminthefridge.com
Then there are the quilts that are tattered and torn sown with years of wisdom. Oh sure, when you cover yourself with them they have holes and the breeze seeps in but the warmth of their lives keeps you content with its ability to comfort you. You are so consumed with their stories of long ago, about how their God brought them through you forget about the holes, you stop feeling the breeze, your mind has gone to a place of peace as your body responds to the warmth of His presence. Every quilt has a story will you tell yours?The next gift from one of the most influential women in my life is a rolling pin, which was given to me by my grandmother whom I also lost in 1998. She also taught me many lessons throughout my walk; one of the lessons was how to sit quietly before God, not asking for nothing just listening to His voice. Another lesson she etched deeply in my mind was; patience is a virtue, which we are not born with. Patience comes through our trials.
The last gift is an apron, which brings me to the third and final influential women in my life to this date, my Aunt Linda. My Aunt Linda has also in turn taught me many values on my road to wisdom and she is still teaching me. Several times while growing up I had the opportunity to be a witness, to observe her while she mothered her children, while she served her husband, and her church. I watched her relentlessly work through the day and night contending to others, being a witness, praying, teaching, loving, and giving without taking inventory of her. My Aunt is a servant first, she does not require being served she finds her true joy in living the life of a servant that’s where she is most comfortable, and in that very place is where she made the most incredible impact on my journey. As I watched her I experienced the heart of God. I learned the art of being a mother, a friend, and a true lover of the Word of God. I learned about people, and the desire to be loved with action, not with action words.
photo credit - mdstrength.com
As I wear the apron I pray her mantle falls upon me. I pray I would put others first, learn the beauty of a servant’s heart, and the joy of making a difference in the lives of others each day I live.
Thank you for allowing me to share my family with you. I hope in some small way I have represented them in such a manner that even from Heaven they have made a difference in your life. I pray that you will find three of the most influential people in your life and share with them how they have written on the slate of who you have become.
Choices are for the Living
Listen Readers, I had an awesome opportunity to serve in my community and I wanted to share my amazing experience with you. I went to the Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry located at 1311 Sanders in Harrisonville and helped distribute over 15,000 pounds of food to over 300 families it was truly a blessing to work a long side of these wonderful people who were accurately living it out for the Glory of God, they are living God’s Word not just discussing it.
If you live in Cass County and are interested in volunteering for this worthy cause please contact Delbert (816-769-4988) at Shepherd’s Food Pantry they need volunteers every Friday from 2-6pm. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) Choices are for the Living…Make a difference, volunteer. Any and all donations are welcomed….
Casting my net for Jesus
Michele Davenport
If you have questions or comments please contact me at my new email address fbmin02@gmail.com
To read my testimony, “Ripened on the Vine,” go to www.fbministires.com
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