I woke this morning with three verses running through my mind, like my blood running through my veins–repeating over and over to give me sustenance–“This is the day that the Lord has made; rejoice and be glad in it.”–not so hard for an Expressive like me to embrace; “Be STILL and KNOW that I am God.”–a tad bit more of a challenge for an Expressive like me to embrace… ; and “Taste and SEE that the Lord is GOOD.” ….and always, when I think of that verse, I remember the first women’s retreat I attended at a precious church–the Women’s Leadership team knew I am an Interior Designer, so I was asked to chair the decorations committee.

I laughed (much like Isaac’s mother, Sarai) that I would, but I didn’t know anyone to join my committee so they offered to find volunteers for me. I asked for a florist, a crafter, and a quilter–and God provided.

We were doing an “old fashioned” theme to enhance the speaker’s message; and I felt lead to do three small scripture quilts for “decoration” to add to the hanging quilts that we were being loaned. Having been “found” and asked to chair the committee rather late, I think we had less than 12 weeks to pull it off and there was concern that I was expecting too much so I was assured that it would be okay to just have posters. But I was determined that God was in it …and my subcommittee of three of the most precious women I’ve ever had the privilege to meet rallied.

The beautiful scripture quilts were finished with mere moments to spare. And, of course, very few ladies actually knew the “miracle” it took for them to be hanging in the building that weekend–but they were each greatly admired. And I was asked several times if they could be purchased. But I felt there was a different plan for those quilts.

When the retreat was over, we gifted one to the facility cafeteria since it was a Christian retreat. The kitchen staff beamed their approval. The second was gifted to be hung in the church kitchen. And the third was gifted to the Women’s Ministry Director. She was stunned because she knew how precious they were; and she graciously assured me that I should have that one because my Faith had seen it through. I assured her it belonged to her.

But I always admired the quilt when I would enter the church kitchen; and when a remodel was mentioned, I went to the gal in charge of the kitchen and asked to have the quilt if it wasn’t going to continue to be displayed. She apologized that it was slightly stained with use and then gave it to me. Looking at it, I only saw the faces that took such pride in serving the Lord in that manner and the look of no less than pleasant surprise on several faces who weren’t certain it could be done in time. It was a definite Faith experience for all involved.

That was several years ago, and I have kept it safely tucked in a closet until I could find a place to hang it. This morning when I woke with those scriptures and I thought of the quilt, my eye looked up to a completely empty wall in my bedroom…and I was gently reminded: God wishes to give us rich blessings; but we must be willing to step out in Faith and RECEIVE them in order to ENJOY them. So I just pulled out that quilt and I’ll be hanging it today. When I move one small picture, it will be just what that space needs….and I will be able to enJoy the tremendous Blessing of the Miracle of the Quilt… Oh, yes…TASTE and SEE that the Lord is GOOD, oh my Soul. 🙂

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3, 7-11 NKJV)

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” (Psalm 34:4, 7-11, 14, 15, 17-22 NKJV)