I have fallen behind in journaling my journey with the Immanuel Quilt. Back in May, I took the quilt to Thorntown to speak to the Hoosier Heritage Quilt Guild. Because the quilt story keeps growing, another chapter being added all the time, I now have to pick and choose what to tell. So, needing to rely on the Spirit of God for guidance, I asked, “What should I share?”
“Made with Love,” the Spirit said.
I preferred more input; however, I added the phrase to my outline and began to build upon it. Once the content was formed, I sensed there was still more God wanted me to add. I said a prayer, asking, “What else, Lord?”
While reading my Bible, the Word of God said, “Teach what
is appropriate to sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1)
Isn’t that what the story of the Immanuel Quilt does?
This Word from God was a warning that I choose what parts of the story to cut, not remove the sound doctrine teaching. Yet, even after receiving this good advice, I sensed something was missing, though I didn’t know what.
I prayed, asking God to reveal His thoughts to me. Days passed with no response. Finally, hours before I was to speak on the day of the event, God answered me. The missing piece was in the name of the guild.
Hoosier Heritage
Heritage is something possessed by one person and passed on to someone who follows after. It includes the values of those before us, the traditions we have experienced, and the cultures we live in.
As humans, created in the Image of God, quilters have inherited their Creator’s creative gene, and therefore, quilters can make quilts, “Made with Love.” You might have a quilt with “Made with Love” inscribed upon it, but you also have an invisible inscription placed upon you that says, “Made with Love, by Love.”
GOD IS LOVE! Quilters stitch pieces of fabric together, making beautiful quilts. God stitches us together, making us into His beautiful image. We have a Godly heritage through Christ. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
To a crowd that was larger than expected, I sat on a stool, opened up The Immanuel Quilt, and began reading His Story.
The question I posed to the quilters that night, I present to you. What heritage and legacy do you hope to pass to your children, grandchildren, and future generations? Will they only receive a quilt, or will you leave something of eternal value–a legacy of faith?
Taking the book once again, I pointed to the photo on the back cover and read the verse below it: “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deed of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” – Psalm 78:4 (NLT)
There is a song that sums up this message well, and though I didn’t share it that evening with the guild, I hope you will give it a listen.
Click here to listen to the entire song, Find Us Faithful.
P.S. My look-a-like puppet made her debut appearance at this event. The response was incredible. I was also surprised by the number of guests who attended because they’d heard I would be there with the Immanuel Quilt. Each of the guests, eight I believe it was, had heard me speak before but came to listen to the story again. I was even thanked for tying heritage into the message. Hearing what God has done never grows old.
