Visible Hope

One of the ministries in our church is a prayer shawl ministry. As you can see in the picture above, there are many Sundays when there are over 10 shawls on the altar rail for dedication.

This Sunday there were two. One of them was a baby blanket. After worship, the knitter of this blanket presented it to a new grandfather in our congregation. His granddaughter was premature -- 1 pound 11 ounces. She is doing well, and is now over 4 pounds. Her grandfather was deeply touched by the action of this knitter, and the gift of a prayer shawl for his granddaughter.

Read this verse (1 Peter 3:15)

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;

Think about this prayer shawl ministry. God lead the knitter to spend time on creating a blanket for a child she has never met. She did it because of God -- because by doing so, the grandfather, the baby's parents, and perhaps the baby herself would be flooded in grace.

Be accountable for the hope that it is you. Do people see hope when they look at you? At me?