“What is that in your hand?” (Ex 4:2, ESV).

When I heard the question that Sunday morning, in the sermon on Moses’ burning bush encounter, it rang right through me like a bugle call.

Moses held a shepherd’s staff.

I held a pen — and a tear-soaked Kleenex.

The symbolism wasn’t lost on me in either case.

I took the question quite narrowly — then.

But after the many times I’ve read or heard that question since, I realize it applies to us all, in a great, sweeping way…

If someone set a timer, for you knew not how many hours or minutes, what might you be holding when the beeper caught you by surprise? Think about it. Even if it’s a mop, or laundry you’re folding. How might God have you use it for His honor and glory, or someone else’s good? Consider these scriptures:

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…”

“Whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord.”

These verses have echoed through me often. Yes, even when I held mop or laundry—also as I did my “Hands On What’s On Hand” self-challenge, when along with them rang the old adage, “Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.”

Digging through old boxes and hampers and various cupboards and drawers, clearing out the clutter, here’s some of what I came upon then, and how I used it, for hospitality, or giving:

A thin and raggedy “tea” towel, quite a disaster. My mother’s, or grandmother’s — and, I’m quite sure, one or the other embroidered it.

I folded it to cover the holes, ironed the creases sharp, and sewed two seams along those creases, at top and at bottom…

Cleaned it, removing an “age stain”…

And voila! From rag to tea tray covering.

Many an afternoon tea, or morning coffee, with this setting, can stir up thoughts of women’s hands blessing, in my growing-up home or elsewhere, and how we can follow their lead.

Next, piles of Grandma’s handkerchiefs:

Some of these, quite elaborate, or otherwise beautiful, some of fine silk, others beautifully embroidered, are going to Granddaughter, as a legacy, in unchanged hanky form. Some make pretty tablecloths or headscarves for her Dolly. Some can fold into Handkerchief bunnies and Hanky Sachets. 

After that I rooted through the fabric remnant stash—and disused clothes—for doll clothes fabric. A whole wardrobe arose from that, including jerseys and leggings, dresses, “jeans,” skirts, and a dressy coat. I forgot to snap photos, except for this one of ruffled pink dress (Granddaughter’s favorite color), made from a tee shirt sidelined by one small stubborn grease stain, easy to exclude:

(I  wish you could see the fabric rose at neck more clearly. A fun and simple thing to make from a long strip of knit fabric, ruffled.)

Applying “Use it up” to the non-heirloom, I pulled out some of the creamy white wool I’d spun, and let Granddaughter feed it onto the spinning wheel she loves to treadle, to tighten the twist (and give her the feel of hand-spinning).

All this, in cash, cost exactly… nothing. Yet all this, used well, became something priceless.

.

That was last winter.

I’m back at it again now, that use-it-up-or-give-it-away adventure, pulling out plastic boxes full o’ wool, both white and colored, and having a “Mild and Wooly Day that Makes me Think of Salt.” (next post)

Meanwhile, what is that in your hand? 

 

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