Doll Can Create

(worship video below)

Take a moment and look at one of your hands.

Think about everything that hand has done. It has worked, created, cooked, carried burdens and held the hands of people you love. It may have written notes, played music, tended a garden, knitted, repaired something or rested gently on someone’s shoulder when words were not enough.

Our hands carry part of our story. They can also help us remember a simple prayer:

Take me.
Love me.
Wash me.
Fill me.
Use me.

Five fingers. Five prayers. One life placed in the hands of God.

Take Me and Love Me

Titus 3:4–8 begins with the goodness and loving kindness of God. It reminds us that we are saved not because we have done everything right, but because God is merciful.

Our prayer begins with “Take me.”

Take me as I am, Lord—with my gifts and questions, my hope and weariness, my faith and uncertainty. God does not wait for a polished, finished version of us. God meets us here and begins the patient work of shaping who we are becoming.

Then we pray, “Love me.”

This is not an attempt to persuade a reluctant God to care. It is an opening of our hearts to the love God is already giving.

We can become so accustomed to working, helping and meeting expectations that we forget how to receive. Yet a faithful life cannot be lived entirely at the pace of urgency. We need moments when we stop striving and remember that we are loved before we accomplish anything.

Wash Me and Fill Me

Titus speaks of rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit. God receives us as we are, but grace does not leave us unchanged.

“Wash me” means bringing our failures, regrets, resentments and wounded places into God’s mercy.

Forgiveness does not mean pretending that harm never happened or allowing harmful behaviour to continue. It means refusing to let yesterday’s pain control tomorrow. God’s grace washes away what keeps us trapped and opens the possibility of a new beginning.

Then we pray, “Fill me.”

Fill me with patience when I am frustrated. Fill me with courage when I am afraid. Fill me with compassion when I am tempted to judge. Fill me with hope when the way ahead is uncertain.

The Spirit also fills the ordinary gifts already present in our lives. Baking can become hospitality. Music can become prayer. A telephone call can become pastoral care. Patient listening can become a place of healing. A handmade gift can become encouragement.

When offered in love, ordinary gifts become ministry.

Use Me

Titus encourages those who trust in God to devote themselves to good works. Notice that good works come after grace.

We do not serve so God will love us. We serve because God already loves us.

“Use me” means making ourselves available to God.

Use my voice to encourage.
Use my ears to listen.
Use my table to welcome.
Use my gifts to strengthen the community.
Use my hands to make Christ’s love visible.

Being used by God does not always require something dramatic. Sometimes it means noticing who is missing, who is sitting alone or who is carrying a burden. It may mean making a telephone call, delivering a meal, offering a ride or listening without rushing to provide an answer.

It may mean doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly with God.

One Open Hand

Throughout August, we explored our Purpose, Pace, Passion and Practice as people of faith.

Now those themes can be held together in one open hand:

Take me—my purpose begins in belonging to God.

Love me—I can rest and grow at a faithful pace.

Wash me—I need mercy, forgiveness and a new beginning.

Fill me—the Spirit awakens my gifts and passions.

Use me—faith becomes real when love is put into practice.

This is not only an individual prayer. It is also a prayer for the Church:

Take us, Lord.
Love us.
Wash us.
Fill us.
Use us.

Take our congregations and remind us why we are here. Love us through seasons of growth and uncertainty. Wash away old resentments and divisions. Fill us with compassion, courage and hope. Use us so our communities experience the welcome and love of Christ through us.

The Church is a people held in the hands of God, offering our hands in service to the world.

This week, begin each morning by opening your hand and praying:

Take me. Love me. Wash me. Fill me. Use me.

Then watch for the person God places in your path, the gift God invites you to offer and the opportunity to practise kindness.

Place your life in God’s hands—and allow God to place Christ’s love in yours.

Rev. Pastor Barb aka Grannie Doll

Your Invitation This Week

Begin each morning by opening your hand and praying:

Take me. Love me. Wash me. Fill me. Use me.

Then choose one simple way to put that prayer into practice. Encourage someone, listen patiently, share what you have or offer a helping hand.

At the end of the day, ask yourself:

Where did I receive God’s love today—and where did I pass it on?