Are You a “Maddie Hatter”? (Answering God’s Call)

Sharing God’s’ love one stitch at a time

Last week was a crazy, wonderful week! I stepped into a call God made on my life. 

It began with my church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS), an awesome ministry to the children in our community. For half a dozen years or so I’ve been director or codirector. This year I stepped aside from the directorship but still volunteered as a teacher, a role I’ve missed.

Although exhausting, it was a blast. We hold VBS for 3 hours every morning Monday through Friday. There are always last minute props to prepare and decorating to do, so it can get pretty busy!

Crammed into our church facilities this year were 140 3-year-old through 6th-grade children, three quarters of them from other denominations or unchurched.

What a blessing to share the love of Christ with so many of His precious little ones!

Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay for the last day (and program) because our ladies mission guild was to serve as servant host for our 2-day district convention an hour away. This was my first convention, and I truly enjoyed it.

My heart’s calling is to reach out to those in need with the hope of the Gospel. Both events gave me opportunities to do just that: sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to children in VBS and reaching out to the needy in practical ways that reflect Christ in action at the convention.

After His resurrection but before ascending to Heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples to tell others about the good news of what they had witnessed. He commissioned them (and us) to evangelize to the entire world. 

And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NLT).

The Call On All of Our Lives

No matter how our circumstances present, we are to reach out to all people, to be instruments for Jesus’ love, to share about His mercy and grace. Some do that by physically going to the destitute and desperate, many others provide monetary support or provisions, and still others give prayer coverage.

No matter how our circumstances present, we are to reach out to all people, to be instruments for Jesus’ love. Share on X

Just as the widow’s mite had great significance far beyond its actual size, so too, do all our gifts when given with the humble hearts of servants for the purpose of shining the light on Christ.

While at the convention, a surprise visitor brought laughter, popping up several times—in the middle of the business meeting and at other times when a break was needed. “Maddie Hatter” used her talents, her humor, to delight and lighten the mood and to serve the Lord. She was obedient to answer His call in her life.

Who knows what God may call me to in the future. Although I’m pretty certain it won’t be as a comedian (I’ll leave that to Maddie.).

Whatever it is, whether financial or physical in nature, whether to large groups or a single individual, it will be significant if done for the purpose of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

Whatever you feel called to do, it will be significant if done for the purpose of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Share on X

“Then He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.’” (Mark 16:15 HCSB).

Reflections: What does preaching of the gospel look like for you? Is it done in a humorous way, through song and dance, individually or in a group setting? Do you proclaim Christ’s love while selling cars, teaching children, or praying for others? How has your witnessing changed your life?