Crochet by Lilet

05/10/2026

21/09/2026

‎Unseen Growth?
||‎When the Quiet Work Bears Fruit
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‎Have you ever looked at a tree and wondered when it became that big? A tree can stand in the same place for years, yet its growth is hardly noticed. No one sees its roots reaching deeper into the soil, its branches slowly extending, or every new leaf as it unfolds. The changes happen so gradually that those who see the tree regularly may hardly recognize them. Then, after some time, someone may look at it again and realize how much it has changed. It has become fuller, stronger, perhaps even blossoming or bearing fruit. The growth was happening all along; it simply wasn't obvious.
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‎A person's life can be much like that. There are seasons when the people around them may not recognize how much God has been doing in their life. They may not see the prayers offered in private, the difficult lessons learned, the struggles quietly endured, or the small decisions made to keep walking with God. From the outside, that person may seem much the same. Yet beneath what others can observe, God may be doing a work that takes time.
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‎Psalm 1:1-3 describes the righteous person as one who delights in the law of the LORD and meditates in it day and night. Then verse 3 gives the picture of “a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season.” The tree does not bear fruit the moment it is planted. It first has to be rooted and nourished. Its fruit comes “in his season.” There is a quiet process before there is visible evidence.
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‎That can also be true in a person's walk with God. Others may see the fruit without knowing the process that produced it. They may see patience without knowing the struggles that taught it. They may see gentleness without knowing the battles behind it. They may see strength without knowing how many times that person had to learn to depend upon God. What appears sudden to others may have been developing quietly for a long time.
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‎Jesus gives another picture of gradual development in Mark 4:26-29 through the parable of the growing seed. In its context, Christ is teaching about the growth of the kingdom of God. The seed is sown, and it gradually develops while the man who planted it “knoweth not how.” The passage is not directly teaching about personal spiritual growth, but the illustration reminds us that something can be developing even when the process itself is not fully observed.
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‎Perhaps that is why a person should not be discouraged when others do not immediately recognize the changes God is making in them. A tree does not have to announce that it is growing. It simply remains planted, receives what sustains it, and continues developing. Then, when the proper season comes, its fruit makes the evidence clear.
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‎The same can happen in a person's life. The change may not be dramatic from one day to another. It may appear in the way they respond, speak, forgive, endure, serve, or trust. Someone who has known them for a long time may eventually look at them and realize that something is different. They may not know when the change happened, but they can see what it has produced.
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‎Perhaps the quiet work is not meant to be noticed while it is happening. Perhaps some things need time to take root before they can bear fruit. The roots grow where no one can see them, but they are what sustain what everyone eventually sees.
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‎So let the person remain planted. Let them keep delighting in God's Word, walking with Him, and allowing Him to work in the places that others cannot see. There is no need to constantly prove that growth is taking place. A tree does not have to explain its growth; its fruit eventually tells the story.
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‎Some growth is too gradual to be recognized while it is happening. But when its season comes, the fruit can reveal what has been developing all along.
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‎The work may be quiet.The roots may be hidden.The growth may go unnoticed. But in God's time, the fruit will speak.
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‎So, keep growing; even when nobody sees you. Keep being rooted in God's Word, keep walking with Him, and keep allowing Him to work. Because what is unseen today may become the fruit that others recognize tomorrow.

14/09/2026

‎Was I Faithful?
||‎When Positivity Becomes Complacency
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‎There is something beautiful about a positive spirit. A person who encourages others, looks for what is good, and refuses to be overcome by discouragement can be a great blessing, especially in ministry. We need people who can say, “Keep going. God is still working.” But positivity, when misunderstood, can become dangerous. Sometimes “Let’s stay positive” quietly becomes “Let’s not address the problem.” “At least we did something” becomes a substitute for asking whether we did it faithfully. “It’s okay” becomes the answer when correction is needed. And “God understands” can be used to excuse what God is actually calling us to improve. The problem is not positivity. The problem is positivity without accountability. Romans 12:11 reminds us, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” (KJV)
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‎Ministry is not merely about having a good attitude. It is a stewardship. Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them...” (1 Timothy 4:16 KJV). There was responsibility attached to his calling. If something is entrusted to us, then our response should not simply be, “At least I tried.” We should also be willing to ask, “Was I faithful?” There is a difference between recognizing that something is difficult and accepting mediocrity as the standard. There is a difference between encouraging someone who failed and removing their responsibility to do better. There is a difference between giving grace and lowering the standard of faithfulness. Even in ministry, good intentions are not the same as good stewardship.
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‎The Bible says, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV). Faithfulness sometimes means encouraging, but sometimes faithfulness means correcting. Sometimes it means practicing again. Sometimes it means preparing better. Sometimes it means admitting, “This was not my best, and I need to grow.” And sometimes the most loving encouragement is not, “It's fine.” It is, “You can do better, and for the Lord's sake, let's do better.” This does not mean becoming harsh, critical, or obsessed with perfection. The goal is not to produce people who are afraid of making mistakes. The goal is to cultivate servants who are willing to learn from them.
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‎Because ministry deserves more than our minimum effort simply because God is gracious. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” The standard is not perfection. The standard is wholeheartedness. So perhaps we should be careful when we hear ourselves say, “At least...” At least we showed up. At least we did something. At least the program happened. At least someone was blessed. Those things may be true, and we should be thankful for them. But we can also ask: Could we have prepared better? Could we have been more diligent? Could we have been more faithful? Could we have honored the Lord more carefully with what He entrusted to us?
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‎Gratitude should not prevent growth. Encouragement should not silence correction. Positivity should not become an excuse for mediocrity. The Christian life is not a call to constantly feel good about what we are doing. It is a call to faithfully do what God has entrusted to us. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might...” (KJV). So let us remain positive, but let our positivity have truth, responsibility, and purpose. Let us encourage without excusing. Let us be gracious without becoming careless. Let us be content with God's provision without becoming content with our lack of growth. And when correction comes, may we not immediately defend ourselves with “But let's stay positive.” Perhaps sometimes the most positive response is simply, “You're right. I can do better. By God's grace, I will.”
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‎Because in the end, ministry is not about proving that we are good enough. It is about being faithful with what God has placed in our hands.

07/09/2026

‎Don't Waste Your Time Collecting Seashells
‎||Living for What Lasts
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‎Imagine spending your entire life walking along the shore, carefully collecting seashells. Some are beautiful, some are rare, and some seem more valuable than others. You fill your hands, your pockets, and eventually your home with them. Yet at the end of the day, they are still only seashells. They may bring a moment of delight, but they can never satisfy the deepest longings of the soul. This picture invites us to pause and ask a sobering question: What am I truly living for?
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‎Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." His words gently invite us to examine the condition of our hearts. Our treasures reveal our priorities, and our priorities shape the direction of our lives.
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‎Our days can easily become filled with "seashells" -the pursuit of success, financial security, recognition, comfort, possessions, or even good things that quietly become ultimate things. None of these are inherently wrong. In fact, they can all be gifts from God. The danger comes when we begin to define our worth by what we accumulate instead of by the One who calls us His own. We can become so busy gathering things that will one day fade away that we neglect the things that will last for eternity.
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‎Jesus calls us to invest in a different kind of treasure. Every act of obedience, every quiet prayer, every sacrifice made in love, every word of encouragement, every moment spent sharing the hope of Christ, and every life touched for His glory carries eternal significance. These are treasures that neither time nor death can take away.
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‎Perhaps today the Lord is gently asking us to lay down a few seashells. Maybe He is inviting us to loosen our grip on the things that have occupied too much of our attention so that our hands are free to receive what truly matters. He is not asking us to reject the simple joys of life but to enjoy them with grateful hearts while keeping Him at the center. The greatest purpose of our lives is not to accumulate more, but to know Christ more deeply, to reflect His love faithfully, and to invest in what will endure forever.
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‎As you spend time with the Lord today, ask yourself: What have I been chasing lately? Are my daily choices drawing me closer to Christ, or are they simply adding to my collection of "seashells"? If my life were to end today, what eternal fruit would remain? May these questions not fill your heart with guilt, but with gratitude for God's grace and a renewed desire to live a life that truly matters.

31/08/2026

‎Going Beyond What Is Expected
‎How far are you willing to go the extra mile for someone?
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‎There are times when we are willing to help someone but only up to a certain point. We do what is asked, fulfill what is required, and stop when we have done enough. And honestly, sometimes we think, “I’ve already done my part. What more do they expect from me?”
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‎But Jesus said something that challenges that mindset: “And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” -Matthew 5:41
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‎The first mile is what is required. The second mile is what is willingly given beyond what is expected. It is the difference between simply fulfilling an obligation and choosing to serve with love. Going the extra mile may mean giving more time when you are already tired, showing patience when you have every reason to be frustrated, helping someone even when no one notices, or doing something kind without expecting anything in return.
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‎Going beyond what is expected does not mean allowing people to take advantage of us or saying yes to everything. Rather, it is about having a heart that is willing to give more than the minimum when love gives us an opportunity to do so. Christ Himself is our greatest example. He did not give us only what was convenient. He gave Himself. His love went beyond what we could ever deserve or repay.
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‎Sometimes, the extra mile is not something grand. It may be a small act of kindness, an encouraging word, an extra effort, a little more patience, or simply staying when it would be easier to walk away. These seemingly small things can become great expressions of Christ's love when they are done with the right heart.
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‎So, how far are you willing to go for someone? When you have already done what is expected, are you willing to take another step not because you have to, but because you choose to love as Christ loved?
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‎Perhaps the greatest question is not, “What is the least I can do?” but, “What more can I do?”
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‎The extra mile begins where what is expected ends.
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24/08/2026

‎We Are to Withstand Evil
‎Standing Firm When Evil Presses In
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‎Evil is not something we are called to negotiate with, entertain, or surrender to. As Christians, we are called to withstand it. Ephesians 6:13 tells us, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.” God does not promise that we will never face evil days; instead, He prepares us to stand when those days come.
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‎To withstand evil does not mean that we are stronger than evil in ourselves. It means that we choose to stand firmly in the strength God provides. Sometimes evil comes through temptation. Sometimes it comes through discouragement, pressure, conflict, or circumstances that challenge our faith. The enemy wants us to compromise little by little until standing for what is right becomes too difficult. But God calls us to remain steadfast.
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‎Notice that the command is not simply to fight evil but to withstand it, to resist its influence and refuse to be moved from the truth. James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” There are moments when the greatest victory is simply refusing to give in.
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‎We may not be able to control what evil brings against us, but we can decide where we will stand. We stand on God's Word. We stand in faith. We stand in righteousness. We stand in prayer. And when our own strength feels insufficient, we remember that our strength comes from the Lord.
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‎So when evil comes, don't run away from your faith. Don't compromise just to make things easier. Stand firm. Put on the whole armor of God, resist the enemy, and trust the One who has already given you everything you need to remain standing.
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‎As for me, I may not be able to stop evil from coming against me, but by God's grace, I can choose not to let it move me away from Him. How about you?

17/08/2026

Guarding the Idle Mind
‎Filling Our Hearts with God's Truth
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‎The saying, "An idle mind is the devil's playground," is often heard in Christian circles, even though it isn't found in the Bible. Still, it points to a reality many people experience. When the mind is left without direction, it often wanders toward worry, resentment, temptation, comparison, or fear. It doesn't happen all at once. Sometimes it begins with a single thought that is entertained a little too long.
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‎This doesn't mean every quiet moment is dangerous. God invites His people to rest. Jesus Himself stepped away from the crowds to be alone with the Father. The issue isn't having an empty schedule; it's allowing the heart to become disconnected from God.
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‎Life is full of voices competing for attention. News, social media, personal disappointments, and the opinions of others can easily fill the mind. Without realizing it, these voices can become louder than God's truth. Over time, what occupies the mind begins to shape attitudes, decisions, and even faith.
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‎Paul's words in Philippians 4:8 offer a gentle reminder to be intentional about what is allowed to remain in the heart. Instead of dwelling on what produces fear or discouragement, believers are invited to turn their attention to what is true, pure, honorable, and worthy of praise. It is less about trying harder to avoid bad thoughts and more about choosing to make room for God's truth every day.
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‎Perhaps guarding the mind is not about never having negative thoughts, but about recognizing where those thoughts are leading. When they lead away from hope, peace, and trust in God, they are an invitation to return to His presence. His Word has a way of quieting anxious hearts, correcting distorted thinking, and reminding His children of what is true.
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‎A guarded mind is not built in a single day. It is shaped little by little through daily moments spent with God. As His truth becomes more familiar, His voice becomes easier to recognize above all the others.

10/08/2026

Rest Is Not Unfaithfulness
|| ‎When Faithfulness Means Knowing When to Rest
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‎There are seasons when life feels like one long list of things to do. We serve, study, work, minister, help others, fulfill our responsibilities, do chores and try our best to keep everything together. Then, when our bodies become tired and our hearts feel weary, we sometimes feel guilty for stopping. We may think that resting means we are being unproductive, lazy, or even less faithful to God. We may feel that there is always something more we should be doing. But Jesus tells us something different: “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.” These words were spoken to disciples who had been serving. They were not resting because they were irresponsible; they were tired because they had been faithfully doing the work entrusted to them. Jesus understood that even those who serve faithfully need to step away and rest.
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‎Rest does not mean that we have stopped being faithful. In fact, God Himself established a pattern of work and rest. Genesis 2:2–3 tells us that after His work of creation, God rested on the seventh day. God did not need rest because He was exhausted, but He established a rhythm for His creation. Sometimes we forget that we are not God. We have limits. Our strength is limited, our time is limited, and our bodies need sleep. Our minds need quiet, and our souls need moments of stillness. Acknowledging our limitations is not weakness; it is humility. It is recognizing that we are dependent upon God and that we were never designed to carry everything in our own strength.
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‎Rest is also an act of trust. Sometimes the reason we struggle to rest is because we are afraid that if we stop, everything will fall apart. We think, “What if I don't finish this? What if someone needs me? What if I waste time? I should be doing something productive.” But Psalm 127:2 reminds us, “...for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” There are things God allows us to leave unfinished until tomorrow. There are burdens He never intended for us to carry alone. There are responsibilities that can wait while we recover our strength. When we rest, we are reminded that God's work does not depend entirely upon our strength. The world can continue while we sleep because God never sleeps. We can pause because God does not.
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‎Rest also prepares us to continue faithfully. Rest is not the opposite of service; sometimes, rest is what enables us to serve well. A tired heart can become impatient, a weary mind can become discouraged, and an exhausted body can make even small responsibilities feel overwhelming. Jesus did not tell His disciples to abandon the work. He simply told them to “rest a while.” There is wisdom in that. You can love people and still need rest. You can love ministry and still become tired. You can be faithful and still need a break. You can trust God and still need sleep. Rest does not make you less faithful. Sometimes, resting is part of faithfulness.
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‎Perhaps we need to stop thinking that faithfulness always looks like doing more. Sometimes faithfulness looks like knowing when to pause. Sometimes it means closing the book, putting down the work, stepping away from the ministry, going to bed, and allowing your body and mind to recover. It means recognizing that your worth is not measured by how much you accomplish in a day. You are not more valuable because you are constantly busy, nor are you less faithful because you need to rest. God has not called us to destroy ourselves in the name of service. He has called us to serve Him faithfully, and faithful service requires us to recognize the limits He has placed upon us.
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‎So, if you are tired today, do not condemn yourself simply because you need to pause. Perhaps God is not asking you to do more. Perhaps He is reminding you to “come apart... and rest a while.” You do not have to prove your faithfulness by how much you accomplish. You do not have to carry tomorrow today. You do not have to keep going until you completely break down. Work when God calls you to work. Serve when He gives you strength. Give when He asks you to give. And when it is time to rest, rest. Because even in your resting, God is still working. Rest is not giving up. Rest is trusting that God can continue working even when we stop. Rest is not unfaithfulness; sometimes, it is an expression of faith.

03/08/2026

‎Crossing a Vast Flood Plain
‎Walking By Faith in Uncertain Places
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‎There are moments in our Christian life when the path ahead seems endless. Like crossing a vast flood plain, we cannot always see the other side. The ground may be muddy, the waters unpredictable, and every step may feel slow and uncertain. Yet these are often the very places where God teaches us to trust Him more deeply. Faith is not proven when the road is smooth, but when we continue walking because we know the One who leads us.
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‎The Bible reminds us, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5–6, KJV) God never promises that the journey will be easy, but He does promise His guidance. When we cannot see the way ahead, we can still trust the One who already sees the end from the beginning.
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‎The Israelites experienced this truth many times. God led them through the Red Sea, across the wilderness, and over the Jordan River. Each obstacle seemed impossible until God made a way. Their greatest victories came not because they were strong, but because the Lord was faithful. The same God who guided them still walks with His children today.
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‎Perhaps you are crossing a flood plain right now, a season of waiting, uncertainty, sorrow, or difficult decisions. Do not let fear stop your steps. The God who calls you forward will also sustain you. Keep your eyes on Him, obey His Word, and continue walking by faith. The flood plain is not your destination; it is only a place God is using to strengthen your trust before He brings you to the place He has prepared.
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27/07/2026

‎The Cross Before the Crown
‎A Journey of Surrender Before Glory

‎The moment we choose to follow Christ, we also choose a path the world often misunderstands. Jesus made this clear when He said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24, KJV). Many see the joy of serving God, but few see the sacrifices behind it. They see the sermon, but not the hours spent studying God's Word. They see the ministry, but not the prayers, tears, temptations, and quiet acts of obedience. They see the crown, but they forget the cross.
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‎The Christian life has never been a promise of comfort, it is a call to discipleship. The cross represents surrender, self-denial, perseverance, and unwavering obedience to God, even when it costs us something. Following Christ means laying aside our own desires so that His will may be accomplished in and through us. The road is often narrow, but it is the very path our Savior walked before us.
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‎For some, the cross is the discipline of faithfully searching the Scriptures when no one is watching. For others, it is choosing holiness over popularity, truth over compromise, or God's will over personal ambition. It may mean giving up personal dreams, enduring criticism, remaining faithful when your service goes unnoticed, or persevering through seasons of spiritual dryness. Whether you are a Bible student preparing for future ministry, a preacher proclaiming God's truth, a Sunday school teacher investing in young hearts, or simply a follower of Christ seeking to honor Him each day, there is always a cost to wholehearted discipleship.
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‎Jesus never asked His followers to carry a cross He was unwilling to bear Himself. Before the crown of glory came the crown of thorns. Before the exaltation came the humiliation of Calvary. He willingly endured rejection, suffering, and death because of His love for the Father and for us. As His disciples, we are not called to earn our salvation through suffering, but to follow in the footsteps of the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
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‎Perhaps your cross today is hidden from the eyes of others. It may be the physical weariness of balancing study, work, family, and ministry, or the quiet exhaustion of faithfully serving when your body longs for rest. It may be the emotional burden of discouragement, unanswered prayers, spiritual battles, or the weight of caring deeply for souls. It may be the relational cost of being misunderstood, losing friendships because of your commitment to Christ, facing opposition from loved ones, or standing alone when others choose a different path. Whatever form your cross takes, do not grow weary. God sees every sacrifice made for His name. No act of faithful obedience is ever wasted, and every burden carried for Christ is precious in His sight.
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‎Remember this truth: the cross always comes before the crown. Every surrendered step, every faithful decision, every unseen sacrifice, and every act of obedience is preparing you for the day when you will stand before your Savior. The apostle Paul reminded Timothy, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (2 Timothy 2:12, KJV). The road of discipleship is often difficult, but it leads to everlasting joy in His presence. Keep your eyes on Christ, for the One who called you is faithful. One day, the cross will be laid down forever, and the faithful will rejoice in the presence of the King.