“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”—Matthew 7:12 

Matthew 7:12 was a scripture verse our pastor focused on at church this past Sunday. Basically it is the Golden Rule that we should treat others as we would want to be treated. This goes right along with Galatians 5:14, which is this month’s memory verse that you are to love your neighbor as yourself.

This past week, I challenged those at knitting group to do something uncomfortable. I asked them to show their love for a neighbor by knitting a coffee cup cozy to give away to someone in their pathway that made a difference in their day that may not get recognized for the work they do. I also gave them a reusable coffee cup to go along with it. 

I know I am asking them to step outside their comfort zone to do this, but as a Christian, this is what God calls us to do. He wants us to share His love with others with love and kindness. Next week, we will be able to share our stories of how we felt when we did it as well as if the recipient was receptive to it.

This past Saturday, as I was spending some quiet time with the Lord, I asked Him to reveal to me who I should give my coffee cup cozy to that day. I pictured a clerk from Hobby Lobby that is always so friendly and sweet. I had something I was needing to get for a project I wanted to start. While I try to avoid the craft stores on the weekends because of the long lines, I felted prompted to go.

When I walked into Hobby Lobby and saw she was at a register, I knew that was who God was wanting me to give my gift to that day. After she finished my purchase, I shared with her that I knit gifts to give to people that make a difference in my day and I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her always being kind and friendly to me when I checked out. I told her that I knew not everyone is always nice, so hopefully my gift made up for that. I let her know I included a Starbucks gift card in it so that after work she could have a drink on me.

She said, “when someone is grumpy, I don’t take it personally because they probably have something going on in their life that is making them that way.” Which means, she has to deal with unpleasant people on a regular basis. I hope and pray that my gift encouraged her to continue to have that positive attitude despite others rudeness. When she sees that hand knit gift or uses her gift card for a cup of coffee, I have no doubt it will bring a smile to her face that someone noticed her.

Dear Lord,

Help me to pour out Your love in my little corner of the world. Lead me to people to give away either my hand knit gifts or someone that needs an extra dose of kindness by my words or actions. Help me to love others as I want to be loved. Use me to make a difference by being a light in someone’s dark day. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

If you are memorizing Galatians 5:14, “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself.”—Galatians 5:14, how are you doing with it? How have you been able to live it out in your life?

Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtags #ThreadsWithRed #KnitPrayShare and attach a  tag to whatever gift you make.