Quilts of Love

And the LORD said unto him (Moses),

“What is that in thine hand?” And he said, ” A rod.”

Exodus 4:2

 

Moses, after having been raised in the palace in Egypt, in adulthood found himself in trouble. He saw an Israelite being abused and murdered the offender. Out of fear for his own life, he fled into a wilderness area. He became a shepherd for the man who would become his father in law. That was quite a fall from prince to wilderness shepherd. One day, however, God spoke to Moses through a burning bush. He had a special job for Moses to do that caused Moses great concern. God wanted Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses did what I think many of us have done with God on occasion. There have been a few times when I have felt God's call on my life to do something and suddenly I thought up 10 reasons as to why I wasn't equipt to do the job. Most of the time though, God has called me to things that involve abilities He's already put in me that maybe I didn't know I had.

Moses had leadership abilities, but God also saw in Moses a heart for spiritual things. Of all things, as Moses was questioning this call on his life, God asked Moses what was in his hand. It was just a crude rod, a tool that was commonly used by shepherds...nothing fancy, but practical and useable. That's what God wanted Moses to see about himself....nothing fancy, practical and hopefully, useable.

Her name was (and still is) Lois Lanoue. For her, it started several years ago, the wonderful ability of sewing. Not every seamstress can glance at a bolt of fabric and imagine a finished product from that bolt, but she could. I always found it interesting when I took her fabric shopping. I just stood back and watched as her beautiful hands (she had the most beautiful hands) touched and felt of various fabrics for quality, texture, and patterns. She generally kept several pieces of fabric on hand but sometimes, she just needed something different. After all, a call would have come saying that a new great grand baby was expected and she had to get busy.

When my Mother-in-Love's children learned they were to become grandparents, Mom was just about the first one notified. Mom had seven children. Really, she gave birth to eight but one baby girl was still born. From her seven children came 21 grandchildren. I can't really count how many great grandchildren Mom had but it is in the ball park of the mid fifties. Every great grandchild got a hand made baby quilt made by her accomplished hands. There was never a duplicate. Each quilt was made with each individual baby in mind. She never viewed this ministry of hers as being a chore.

At one time, her quilts had a lot of embroidery done on them, a lot of hand work. As she aged, Mom had to change her tactics as the sewing became more difficult with her eye sight not being what it was at one time. Still, each quilt's fabric was chosen by her, chosen with love. So many times, I saw the fabric and bunting on her twin bed as she worked to bring the precious quilt together

Mom's funeral was this last week. One of her son-in-law preachers was asked to speak at the funeral. In the process, he asked that baby quilts be brought to the funeral and, boy, did they come. Quilts were laid out on the back of pews at the front of the chapel. Not a one was like any other. Over the last several years, she had sewn all of those quilts.

When the funeral was over, we headed to the cemetery. It was a very cool and windy day so knew the service there would have to be short. When all of the cars arrived, car doors opened and from the cars came swarms of children. These great grandchildren, many now in grade school headed for the grave site. The thing that was amazing was seeing each great grandchild wrapped in his or her baby quilt as best as a child's body can be wrapped in a baby quilt. The children were just looking for a way of keeping warm. They didn't see the significance of standing at the grave side, wrapped in individual quilts. What a sight. Many of the quilts looked faded and the worse for wear, but that's the way she would have wanted it. It was a tribute in quilts for a Godly saint who had found a unique ministry in serving her family in a very special way.

Lois Lanoue was not a highly educated lady. She had given her life for her family and as best I can tell, each of her children knew they were dearly loved. She was a quiet person. My memory of her will always be that she was a true lady. She knew how to dress appropriately, sit with legs to one side with hands nicely folded on her lap. She wasn't a critical person but would speak up for right or wrong in her own way. She loved the Lord. I don't know how many times I passed the open door to her room when she lived with us and saw her with Bible, a devotional book or spiritual material on her lap. She loved attending church and Sunday school. She had wisdom that doesn't come from a university degree. Her wisdom was from the Lord with knowledge one earns from a life lived long and well pleasing to the Lord.

For Moses, a rod led to much greater things. Although Mom had been sewing garments for her children for years, when the great grandchildren started coming along, she couldn't afford elaborate gifts for each one, not that it was expected. She took a good look at what she could do that was going to be meaningful. It's almost as if God asked her, “Lois, what is that in your hand?” The answer for anyone who knew her well, knew the answer was: “A needle.” She used her ability that had been so much a part of her life. Today although she is in Heaven, she lives on here in many ways, but especially through a myriad of baby quilts.

I wonder what the rest of us would answer if God asked us what we have in hand that could be of service to Him? We all have those gifts God has instilled in us, gifts to be used for His kingdom and glory. Once we recognize those things God wants us to use for Him, we will know an unusual excitement, enthusiasm in serving God. Whatever that is in our hands that we choose to use for Him will be blessed in abundance.

Father, I thank you for the examples you have brought into my life that includes my mother-in-love. I want to be used of you and may I be your willing and obedient servant, no matter what you call me to be or do. May I be willing to use whatever it is You have place in my hands. I love You. Amen.