We’ve heard about Mr. Ed, the talking horse. . . many of us know about the talking donkey that belonged to the Old Testament prophet, Balaam. Thanks to the Royal Ambassador Sunday School class of First Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa, we have a talking quilt.

Dozens of Royal Ambassadors contributed to the design, content, and craftsmanship of this beautifully hand-sewn quilt with scores of blocks connected by colorful, flowery green sashes. Each block contains a message of encouragement. Presented to us in August, 2006, and now smoothly stretched out on our queen size bed, this patchwork quilt quietly and faithfully speaks to Debbie and me.

The blocks of encouragement are all different. Some contain personal words of encouragement and thanks – encouraging thoughts I often used in my preaching are the content of other blocks – some of our favorite Scriptures are part of the patchwork, too.

Our favorite hymns comprise the border.

Earlier this morning the quilt spoke to me again as I sat and read it. Here are some of the messages that spoke most clearly to me.

• What makes life worth living is our giving and forgiving.
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• God orders our steps and our stops.
• “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
• Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but taking hold of God’s willingness.
• “I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathways for your lives. I will advise you and watch your progress” (Psalm 32:8).
• While God never promised smooth sailing, He has promised a safe landing.
• “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Since the quilt talked to me earlier this morning, I’ve been singing one of the songs sewn into the border:

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

“When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.”

“His oath, His covenant, His blood – support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.”

On Christ the solid rock I stand – all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

I’m committed to finishing my life and ministry strong! To do that I need all the help I can get – including quietly talking quilts!

jmp

One other thing – The next time you’re in Springfield, let us know. I’d love for you to see this unforgettable, quietly talking gift.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Encouragement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.