Comfort.
Life is hard, y'all.
Can I get an AMEN?
This past Monday I had an itching to make a quilt. Not just any quilt but a scrappy quilt. A scrappy quilt is made of leftover fabrics. I have been saving a huge plastic container of scrappy fabric love. As I was getting all my scrap love together I felt this stirring in my heart to make a quilt for someone who needed comfort. All day I prayed that God would lead the way to whoever was meant to have this quilt. I thought about the people I have made quilts for and how they tell me God has used the quilt I made to comfort them. It is so sweet to hear but even sweeter because it is ALL HIM.
He wants to comfort us, y'all. And how quick we are to seek comfort in most everything but Him. He has gifted me with making quilts. For me it is a ministry for Him to reveal Himself in a very tangible way. For others to feel wrapped in Love. To be seen. To be known. To be comforted. Sewing has always been a very healing process for me. I have seen Him stitch up the most broken places in my heart. #hurtsogood
But let me tell you what happened to me this morning.
I have a new doctor appointment at 2 pm today. I have been really anxious about this appointment. New things scare me. Especially having to tell a new psychiatrist my life history. It is frightening for me. It stirs the deepest broken places in my heart (even the places He has stitched up). So, I decided to pull out Paul David Tripp's New Morning Mercies devotional. I have not cracked this book open in 2 years. And guess what....
I had a bookmark placed on today's devotional.
TODAY.
Accidental?
Nope, I don't think so.
July 19, 2017.
He led me to this today. Here is what it said:
"God puts you in hard moments when you cry out for comfort so that your heart becomes tender to those near you who need the same comfort."
What?
Oh, yes mam.
I am not going to write out the whole devotional but at the end he says,
"Here is how Paul captures this in 2 Corinthians 1: 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God...If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort' (vv. 3-6). The hard moments are not just for your growth in grace, but for your call to be a tool of that same grace in the life of another sufferer. In difficulty, God is softening your heart and sharpening your edges so that you may be ready to make the comfort of the invisible Father visible in the life of the weary pilgrim he has placed in your pathway. God intends for you to give away the comfort you've been given. The grace that has given you hope is meant to spill over into hope for the person next to you. What a plan!"
Written by Paul David Tripp.
The kindness and comfort that He gives is not meant to be kept but given.
Because when we share in the sufferings of this world with others we help to make Him known.
He is all around us. He is before us. He is behind us. Even in all the craziness of this world, He is with us. He is for us. He pursues us. He comforts us. He is really all we need. The One and Only Who can make all wrongs right.
So, will you help make Him known?
I am giving away this scrappy quilt to someone who needs His comfort.
This might be:
•a person who is searching for Him.
•a person who is going through chemo.
•a person who is caregiving for someone who is dying or sick.
•a person who has gone through a rough patch and looking for Him but can't see or Find Him.
•a person whose wife/husband has had an affair or in the midst of an affair.
•a person whose wife/husband struggles with an addiction.
•a person who is feeling isolated and lost.
•a person who is suffering from PTSD.
•a woman who is struggling with infertility.
•a person who is struggling with their identity, who call for Him but He doesn't seem to answer.
•a person who is homeless.
•a child in foster care.
•a foster care parent.
•anyone who advocates for the people who have no voice.
•a person that you love that is just struggling. Is in the midst of uncertainty.
•a child with an incarcerated parent.
•a wife/husband with a spouse who is incarcerated.
•a wife/husband who has just lost their spouse.
•a daughter/son who has just lost a parent.
•a mother/father who has just lost a child.
•this person does NOT have to be a believer. We can't doubt the goodness of God and His plans for each person who has breath left inside of them. I didn't become a believer until age 31. So, trust me when I say there is HOPE. And He is faithful.
Here are the rules:
1. You can comment here on my blog or on my Instagram account @sewalliemac who you would like to give this quilt to.
2. This person can remain anonymous or not (maybe talk to them about you nominating them), but you have to share WHY you are nominating them. Why you feel like they need to feel His comfort right now in their life.
3. I want to hear your stories. I want to hear their stories. I truly believe that in sharing His story in our life, we are helping to make Him known and loved.
4. If you do not feel comfortable sharing for everyone to see, you may email me personally at sewalliemac@gmail.com. Your nomination will COUNT.
5. I will close the giveaway on Wednesday, July 26th at 9pm Eastern time.
6. The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 27th.
7. Then I will finish making the quilt for the winner. This way I will be able to pray for the person who will be receiving the Allie Mac quilt.
8. I will attempt to finish the quilt in one week and mail it to them or to you (if you would like to personally give it to them).
9. Feel free to share this on social media. This is how we will know other people's stories and how we can pray for people who are hurting. You do not have to know me or follow me on social media. This is not the purpose of this giveaway.
10. Don't let all these rules scare you off;)
I will be posting throughout the week different people I follow whose stories have touched me.
I absolutely can't wait to see how God is going to use this little scrappy quilt for His Glory and His comfort.
Blessings and love,
Allison
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