Daily Devotional for January 8, 2024
Memory Quilt
“That’s going to be so cool when it’s finished,” Kendyn said as she watched her mom sew some pieces of a patchwork quilt.
Mom smiled. “I hope so. This project is very special to me.” She picked up a few of the fabric squares. “Do you recognize these pieces of material?”
“They’re scraps from dresses I used to wear, aren’t they?” said Kendyn.
Mom nodded. “Yes. And they remind me that God’s way is best,” she said as she began sewing again. “I used to become very disappointed and angry when I didn’t get my way. I would get upset with God when He didn’t answer my prayers the way I wanted.”
“Really?” said Kendyn. “But how do these quilt pieces remind you of that?”
“Well,” said Mom, “before you came to live with us, I wanted a baby very much. I prayed that we’d be able to adopt one right away. That didn’t happen. Your dad and I prayed and prayed, and we waited and waited. I sometimes felt angry at God for not giving me my way.”
“But then you got me,” Kendyn said.
“That’s just the point,” said Mom with a smile. “I didn’t get my way. God had His way—and it was much better. He taught us so much during those years when we were waiting, and we grew in our relationship with Jesus. He reminded us that He was with us in our pain and uncertainty and wanted us to bring our worries and sorrows to Him. We learned a lot about patience and about trusting God. And then we adopted you.”
“If you had gotten a baby as soon as you wanted one, would you have still gotten me too?” asked Kendyn.
“We can’t know for sure, but maybe not,” replied Mom. “That’s why this quilt is such a special project to me. I’m sewing together little remembrances from your life. As I do that, I’m reminded of how wonderful God’s way was—and is—for me.”
“And for me!” said Kendyn as she gave her mom a big hug.
– Nance E. Keyes
How about you?
Is there something you’re hoping and praying for that you haven’t gotten yet? Do you feel sad or even angry that you haven’t gotten your way? Jesus understands and invites you to bring those feelings to Him. When you do, let Him remind you of His great love for you and trust Him to help you be patient. We can’t always understand His ways, but He promises to be with us and help us follow His will for our lives. Trust Him, knowing His way is always best.
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