We have recently started a group of girls and moms that would like to crochet or knit to give to the needy.

This is a perfect ministry for the women, especially for those that have several children and find it hard to get out and participate in other outreach projects.  We meet once a month for a couple hours and work on our projects, but the majority of the project is worked on at home. If the ladies/girls cannot come to the meeting that is OK; the goal of having a group is to inspire and motivate each other!

The great thing about crocheting or knitting is that you can take it with you while you sit in the waiting room or in the car while the kids are at practice. Doing handiwork is something that takes up little space, unlike quilting or scrap booking! Most handiwork projects can be stopped at any point and picked up when it is convenient.  

Proverbs 31 gives us so much to aspire for:

 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

 Proverbs 31:13

I just love this verse, “…and works with eager hands!”  Another version says, “…works willingly with her hands.”  

Just think on that! What do most girls do with their hands today? Are they eagerly looking for ways to work with them? Are they looking how to be a blessing to those around them? I dare say most girls spend many hours texting and few hours “eagerly working”.

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

 Proverbs 31:20

One of my goals with our handiwork group is to use our projects to give to the needy. There are many elderly people in nursing homes that don’t receive many gifts, especially something hand made for them. We are also looking for elderly people in our community that may need the warmth of a shawl or a lap blanket.

  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

 Proverbs 31:27

We are of great service to our husband when we manage the home efficiently. If we are truly meeting his needs, caring for our home, training the children and reaching out to the needy, there is little time for idleness. We need to be training our daughters not to be idle. As our daughters  mature there are so many ways for them to be of service to mom and reaching out to the needy. There simply is no time to be idle. Be careful not to confuse rest and relaxation with being idle.

A handmade item will minister to a person’s heart in a way that little else can.

A few handiwork tips:

***Find what works for you. Some prefer crochet over knit, it really does not matter, just be eager!

***If you don’t know how, find someone that does. Most handiwork people LOVE to share their skills! (Or you can buy my DVD!)

***In the evening hours while family reading is being done have something in your hands.

***Keep your current handiwork in a bag or basket close to the chair you usually sit in.

***Once you become comfortable with a pattern crocheting or knitting can be very relaxing.

***If you will be out at lessons, practices, or appointments with the children, take your handiwork with you. You will be amazed how it helps the time go by, and just how much handiwork you can get done.

***If the phone rings and you know it will be a long conversation you can still talk and crochet/knit at the same time.

***When making an afghan or shawl use a larger hook ( I, J or K) and a thicker yarn, it will make your work move much faster.

***Set a goal of one or two projects a year to give to someone needy.

***As you work on the project, pray for the person you will be giving it to, even if you do not know them, God does!

***Watch for good sales and change of season clearance in the yarn department!

***Don’t think it has to be perfect to give to someone, it doesn’t!!! More than likely you’ll be the only one that sees your mistakes!

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,

and he will reward him for what he has done.

 Proverbs 19:17

Our group’s goals so far are:

January and February -Shawls and lap blankets for the elderly.

March and April -Baby blankets for Sav-A-Life (Crisis Pregnancy Center)

May and June- Booties and hats for local NICUs

If anyone has material possessions and

sees his brother in need but has no pity on him,

how can the love of God be in him?

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue

but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:17-18

Perhaps this is something you could do in your community? Perhaps this is something you could get a group of girls and moms together for to encourage a spirit of mercy?

… for God loves a cheerful giver.

 2 Corinthians 9:7

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Kathy

writer, video producer, wife and mother at Teaching Good Things

Titus 2:3 says that we are to be "...teachers of good things...". We believe that part of these good things are practical skills that we all need in every day life to care for our family and neighbors. One of our primary responsibilities as parents is equip our children with the skills and tools to one day be productive, well rounded adults. Children need to be exposed to many different areas of work. Not only should they know how to work, but they should want to work. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17

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