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Circles of Love

The Women's Ministries group had just agreed on a fund-raising activity to be held several months away. The local shopping mall had offered space for groups to set up booths and sell handcrafted items at their annual Christmas bazaar. A small group of women who did not have daytime employment outside the home were asked to form a committee to select the type of crafts to be made. Some of those women were still at home with preschool or grade school children. One was taking care of relatives of assorted ages so their mothers could work. Some were between jobs and had free time on their hands. One was a widow of retirement age.

The women looked through magazines and craft books selecting suitable items to make. After they decided what to make, it became obvious there was more enthusiasm than knowledge for making them. So one experienced woman volunteered to teach her skills to the others.

The instructor was a new Christian, having been won to the Lord by faithful witnesses, including the widow woman who was her neighbor.

Eager to serve, the instructor began teaching the group basic skills working with yarn. Eventually everyone was busy crocheting circles for Christmas door hangings. Among those who learned was the widow.

As interest grew, the group made a variety of Christmas items for the sale. They even made gifts for Missionettes and helped a Royal Ranger who needed a uniform. They collected clothing and furnishings for burned-out and unemployed families.

Meanwhile the widow kept secretly crocheting circles for door hangings. It would be hard to recall all the items the women brought for the Christmas sale, but one thing I do remember. When the widow arrived the day we all brought our craft items, she had to ask for help to carry in all the bags of crocheted circles she had made. Now, as I recall the events, I say, "Thank You, Lord, for being a comfort and companion to that dear woman as she sat alone using her hands to create those little 'circles of love.' "