Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Craft (as in handcraft) (02/08/07)
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TITLE: Handiwork and Inheritance | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kathy Alvarez
02/12/07 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
My grandmother, Nana, had a gift for needlework. She had few, if any, of her own work in her home. She didn't talk about her projects; she just did them and gave them as gifts. Even after her death, my children have been recipients of her work that was saved and passed on by my aunt. The point of this story was to be that when we're given a gift, work at it, complete it, and pass it on to others it becomes a blessing that extends even to future generations. It's a Truth, and very feel-good.
Then my attention was brought to another aspect of handiwork. I did a Bible search on the word "handiwork" and this was the result: ""The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying 'Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.'" (NIV). Not exactly what I had in mind to support my story, taking into consideration the wickedness of those countries at the time it was written. The LORD was angry with these nations for turning away from Him and towards idolatry. The pagan Assyria, though punished for its sins, was still the handiwork of God in accomplishing His purposes. Yet once these nations repent, God promises to heal and bless them. He loves us all and He wants to bless us. His purpose is healing and restoration.
The world today is not much different than when Isaiah first recorded this message. God hates evil, and evil will be punished. Yet He continues to love us. The crafts and handiwork of my Nana reflect her love and makes me feel good. The handiwork of God in nature is beautiful to behold and also makes me feel good. Yet from the Bible I learn I also need to see that those things that don't always make me feel so good at the moment, events and people that may appear to reflect the evil that's in the world, can still be used as handiworks of God, crafted in such a way to accomplish His purposes. Through them may be found His love, the promises of blessings...His inheritance.
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I would have started with the second paragraph, and interwoven the information in the first paragraph into the second. (Clear as mud?) The second paragraph is more apt to draw the reader in.
This is a pretty solid entry overall. Keep writing.