His Handiwork

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT

The morning of February 24th was much warmer than we expected it to be. We had boxes of scarves, hats, jackets, and blankets ready to go, but it was nearly 70 degrees outside! We took the box of scarves anyway, along with some handwoven sitting mats made out of plastic shopping sacks. I had to hold back my emotions as I loaded the items into my car.

Each scarf in the box was crocheted by my sweet nana, and each sitting mat was woven together by her hands. Shortly after the last blog post was published, my nana was rushed to the hospital where she stayed for 10 days. As the weeks unfolded, we learned that she was battling stage IV cancer. She starts her first round of chemotherapy on Wednesday, March 6th. Despite this, she still managed to make her way through a few skeins of yarn (we call them loaves, like bread). She has always been so supportive of this outreach, and it is a blessing and privilege to hand out her gifts to our neighbors.

A few short minutes after we arrived to our usual location, the scarves had found homes with our friends whose faces lit up when choosing their favorites. Flora and her little chihuahua, Papa, chose the brightest blue scarf, which was no surprise at all. Jimmy chose the more subdued brown. An unfamiliar face chose a speckled scarf and allowed me to snap a photo to send to my nana. The speckled one was my favorite, even though its ends weren’t woven in.

A small man approached us walking with a cane. We gave him lunch and coffee, then he introduced himself as Scott. Scott is from California (a Chargers fan), but has lived and worked all over the western U.S. He has been the caretaker for family members in their final months and managed sober living homes with a friend. He has experienced a great deal of loss. But his only prayer request was for health, as his small body is battling arthritis, diabetes, COPD… etc. Scott’s spirit is light. He has helped and comforted so many people. He is gentle and kind and full of hope. He just wishes his body would be in less pain. I want to be more like Scott.

God uses our temporary bodies for His everlasting glory. He strengthens us despite our weaknesses and uses our hands to do His work, whether that’s crocheting scarves, serving a hot cup of coffee, or laying them on someone in prayer. I returned home filled with hope and love, thanks to some handmade gifts and intentional conversation.

Please join us in prayer over our new friend Scott and the many obstacles his body presents. It would mean the world to me if you lifted my nana in prayer as well. We pray that their bodies are healed and their spirits are restored. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

-Brittani