Saturday, September 13

By Joann Condit of Phoenix, Arizona, USA

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

—Romans 12:6–8 NRSV

I am a part of Guideposts’ Knit for Kids project, serving for the last nine years. We are a large group of knitters who make sweaters for children in need of warmth all over the world. We are fast closing in on a million sweaters completed.

At the time I write this, I personally am finishing sweater number 294. There are those whose total is much higher, and some who produce perhaps two or three sweaters a year. It doesn’t matter how many sweaters one completes; each recipient receives a blessing with a new and warm sweater, knitted with love.

I believe that most knitters are like me. We try to use tasteful combinations of colors, and we strive to make each one unique, though we work from a common, overall pattern. As we knit, we imagine the child who will receive that particular sweater. We knit our prayers into each one.

We choose to give of our time in this way. We knit on long trips. We knit while watching television, and while waiting for meals. We knit every chance we get. Other people choose other ways. Some people work at food banks or volunteer in schools and hospitals. Some give money, and some lift their prayers for the good of others. Some give the gift of a smile or a listening ear. There are as many gifts to give as there are people to receive them.

May we each find a way to give today—to give liberally, each chance we get, as God gives us gifts to share.

Prayer for Peace Generous God, help us develop the gifts you give us so we may become generous disciples. Help us apply them to ways of sharing peace.

Spiritual Practice: Generosity and Discipleship Bring a basket or other container to your place of prayer. Meditate on the link between generosity and discipleship. Write a prayer of commitment in which you name specific acts of generosity and sharing to which you feel called. Fold the paper and place the prayer in the offering container. Close by singing a hymn of gratitude or praise as you offer your gift to God.

Peace Covenant Today, God, I will knit generosity tightly into my discipleship.