She Used AWhat...to Make A What!

While reading of the amazing story of Dorcas (Tabitha) in Acts chapter 9 it seems I always tend to just scan over verse 39: “Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them" in order to get to the exciting climax of the story - the part where Peter raises her from the dead.

When I hear people speak of the Proverbs 31 woman my mom immediately comes to my mind…with a slight exception (you see, there is none that is perfect but One!). My mom would send us off on our first day of school, no matter the year, with one firm and specific instruction; she would firmly remind us that she does not sew…she would gladly bake cookies or cakes, she would be a room mother, she would plan games, prepare snacks, participate in and or clean up after a school party…but, “I do not sew!”   And, she was right…she did not sew!

Every Easter I’m reminded of my Easter’s past; a new dress generally with ruffles, shiny new patent-leather “Sunday” shoes that made a grown-up sound on tiled floors, new white anklets and gloves to match! Then to top it all off, something springy to adorn the head…a floral headband or…a bonnet! I was newly outfitted from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet! As I grew older the gloves, anklets and headdress were forgone. It was at the awkward time in a young woman’s life – between the bonnets, gloves and anklets, and just a nice new spring dress and shoes—when we were supposed to bring an Easter bonnet to school. The bonnet would be worn in a school-wide Easter parade up and down the halls for all to see and later judged for prizes. When I told Mom she assured me that I would have a bonnet to wear and I just knew in my heart it would be the finest that there was.

I don’t think anyone can possibly imagine my surprise when I saw the finished product. It looked nothing like I had envisioned. In great disbelief and a little shock I gathered up my “bonnet” and bravely brought it to school.

It was time for the parade, time to muster up my courage and “don my gay apparel” to literally parade in front of friends, foes and everything in between. I watched as others put on their bonnets…there were bonnets made from beautiful wide-brimmed straw hats, cowboy hats, baby-doll sunbonnets, baseball caps…even paper plates were covered in an array of spring blooms, furry pink bunnies, yellow fuzzy chicks, pastel eggs nestled in grassy green nests, there were buttons and bows, streams of lace and cascades of ribbons, everything I thought an Easter bonnet should be. I remember, with great embarrassment, putting on my bonnet…everything theirs was not. I found my place in line and marched up and down the halls. 

My bonnet was unique, to say the very least. It was made up of plastic autumn flowers, and some sort of ribbon entwined all somehow attached to a beigeish toilet seat cover. I would have run to hide in the bathroom – but what irony that would have been.

I’ll never forget, while parading past the office, the principal looked me square in the eyes and asked, “It that what I think it is?” Sheepishly, I grinned and said, “Yes.”

Much to my surprise, when at the end of the festivities, my mother’s creation was awarded the prize for most creative.

If the Lord should tarry in His return and take my mom home to glory before his coming again there will be time of immense sorrow and mourning; for everything about her will be greatly missed. There may not be a bringing out of all the “robes and clothing” she had made during her years on this side of eternity for that was not where her spiritual gifts lied. We will, instead, be sharing and remembering her deep love, joy and devotion for her family and friends, her warm hospitality and inviting home, and most of all, her unyielding love to tell the sweet story of Jesus, and we will have wonderful stories she has given us that have been safely reserved and treasured in our hearts and memories.

If you are a child of God, you too have been given at least one spiritual gift. I encourage you to use the gift God has given to you to further His kingdom and for other’s to recall when you are remembered.