KNIT Together

Last week, I had the honor of speaking at a conference. On the final night, the pastor gifted me a beautiful prayer shawl from the church's prayer shawl ministry. Accompanying the shawl was a note explaining that it was handmade for me in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, with each stitch crafted alongside a prayer. I wanted to purchase a shawl for my friend. The pastor told me this a ministry of no cost. I asked her to pray over it, and took a photo to capture the moment.

When I gave the shawl to my friend and shared the story behind it, she told me she could feel the spirit of the prayers as soon as it touched her skin. I took another photo of her wrapped in the shawl and emailed it to the pastor. The pastor replied that the threads of our lives are now knit together in a way that will never unravel.

This made me think of one of my ancestors Elder Paralee Sherrod. I remember women gathered in her home around sewing machines, making dresses from pillowcases and praying as they sewed. I carried these dresses to Ghana many years ago as part of a delegation with several other members. Each dress, like the shawl, was stitched in prayer. It was a blessing to be able to let each of the beautiful girls know these gifts were created in the name of Jesus Christ and stitched in prayer.

As the Pastor shared, we were knit together in a way that will never unravel.

Last night, I thought how it’s important for our lives to be knit together. Let’s KNIT.

K - Kindness “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Just be kind, without expecting in return. I thanked a cashier when she gave me my change. Her eyes welled up with tears as she said. “Ma’am you are the first person who actually looked at me and to spoke today - I feel human.” Be kind …. Just be kind. It's about small, everyday actions that show consideration and respect for others, making them feel valued and seen. You don’t know what kind of battles people are fighting everyday.

N - Nurture - “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Mentor someone, providing consistent support and encouragement, teaching and guiding. Our church celebrated honor students, but my pastor reminded us to encourage, support and nurture ALL of our young people. Encourage and pour into someone’s life.

I - Intentional - “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Be intentional in our actions and relationships. Be intentional with your presence. Years ago, a friend called me with news she knew would break my heart. I was crushed and cried. I tried to get off the phone, but she wouldn’t let me, she said she would hang up when her heart released her. She simply listened, and reminded me that she loved me and God loved me. For three hours she was silently yet powerfully present with me. When I was able to fully exhale, and she felt I was okay, she prayed that I would sleep peacefully and I did. My friend is a psychologist and she would have wisdom to share. But she said, it was because of her training and the Spirit, she knew that I didn’t need advice, I just needed presence. Be intentional about being present in the ways that people need you.

T - Togetherness - “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

God is present when we come together in prayer and community. Yesterday we worshiped together in church, continued after service with an outdoor fellowship, where we ate, played and danced (The DJ was fire!) together, as a community. Whenever we are together, God is present.

People are hurting, people are grieving, people are celebrating, People are anticipating. In whatever state they are, let’s remember to knit.

Let’s embody the principles of “KNIT” in our daily lives,fostering a community grounded in kindness, nurture, intentionality, and togetherness. Our lives should be knit together in a way that will never unravel.

Lyrically Knitted In Love and Prayer,

Rev Sheila P Spencer

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“Why does someone always have to be the strong friend? The label can feel heavy if it’s the only crown we’re allowed to wear. What if the role of the strong friend shifted within the group and became something we all shared?”

KNIT Together

KNIT Together

Last night, I thought how it’s important for our lives to be knit together. Let’s KNIT.

K - Kindness “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

N - Nurture - “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Mentor someone, providing consistent support and encouragement, teaching and guiding. Our church celebrated honor students, but my pastor reminded us to encourage, support and nurture ALL of our young people. Encourage and pour into someone’s life.

I - Intentional - “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)

T - Togetherness - “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

God is present when we come together in prayer and community. Yesterday we worshiped together in church, continued after service with an outdoor fellowship, where we ate, played and danced (The DJ was fire!) together, as a community. Whenever we are together, God is present.

People are hurting, people are grieving, people are celebrating, People are anticipating. In whatever state they are, let’s remember to knit.

Let’s embody the principles of “KNIT” in our daily lives,fostering a community grounded in kindness, nurture, intentionality, and togetherness. Our lives should be knit together in a way that will never unravel.

Lyrically Knitted In Love and Prayer,

Rev Sheila P Spencer

My relationship with hope is still in tact. Despite the occasional “it’s complicated,” we remain connected. It’s the audacity of hope that keeps us going.

“Gratitude is not always about waiting for resolution. Sometimes, gratitude is found in the people and the moments that hold space for you, in the midst and allow you to just be …. similar to the process of brewing tea, just waiting”

“Why does someone always have to be the strong friend? The label can feel heavy if it’s the only crown we’re allowed to wear. What if the role of the strong friend shifted within the group and became something we all shared?”

Just Ask .....

Who are your Storm Friends?

KNIT Together

Last night, I thought how it’s important for our lives to be knit together. Let’s KNIT.

K - Kindness “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

N - Nurture - “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Mentor someone, providing consistent support and encouragement, teaching and guiding. Our church celebrated honor students, but my pastor reminded us to encourage, support and nurture ALL of our young people. Encourage and pour into someone’s life.

I - Intentional - “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)

T - Togetherness - “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

God is present when we come together in prayer and community. Yesterday we worshiped together in church, continued after service with an outdoor fellowship, where we ate, played and danced (The DJ was fire!) together, as a community. Whenever we are together, God is present.

People are hurting, people are grieving, people are celebrating, People are anticipating. In whatever state they are, let’s remember to knit.

Let’s embody the principles of “KNIT” in our daily lives,fostering a community grounded in kindness, nurture, intentionality, and togetherness. Our lives should be knit together in a way that will never unravel.

Lyrically Knitted In Love and Prayer,

Rev Sheila P Spencer

My relationship with hope is still in tact. Despite the occasional “it’s complicated,” we remain connected. It’s the audacity of hope that keeps us going.

“Gratitude is not always about waiting for resolution. Sometimes, gratitude is found in the people and the moments that hold space for you, in the midst and allow you to just be …. similar to the process of brewing tea, just waiting”

“Why does someone always have to be the strong friend? The label can feel heavy if it’s the only crown we’re allowed to wear. What if the role of the strong friend shifted within the group and became something we all shared?”

Just Ask .....

Who are your Storm Friends?

Sheila Spencer