My wife likes to sew and especially she likes to make quilts. She started off by collecting bits and pieces of cloth of different colors and patterns and then sewing them together into colorful crazy-quilt patterns. It wasn't long, however, that she discovered that there were many traditional patterns with odd names like "log cabin, bow ties, butterfly, wagon wheel, Texas star, whispering pines, rail fence, schoolhouse, and many others. These required a greater artistry than a crazy-quilt design, and her quilt-making developed into quite a challenge of design and workmanship The large quilts were donated to the local church Dorcas Welfare Society for invalids and shut-ins. The smaller quilts were for baby cribs and lap robes. These quilts were interfaced with thick cotton batting and provided a warm, cozy covering. There was a lot of TLC involved in making these quilts, and we have a plaque hanging on our bedroom wall which sums it all up, "When you sleep under a quilt, you sleep under a blanket of love."
Whenever there is a need, these dedicated seamstresses spring into action with their needles. During WWI there was a need for warm woolen socks for our troops in the trenches, and the call went out for help Thousands of knitting needles went to work producing warm woolen socks for our soldiers. In times of floods, storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters the unselfish efforts of our community service organizations came to the rescue. Though these unsung heroes are unnamed, I am sure that their names are recorded in the heavenly Book of Remembrance of good deeds.
The story of one such woman who was full of good works and charitable acts is memorialized in the Bible in Act 9:36-43. This lady's name was Tabitha or Dorcas, and she lived in the town of Joppa. Joppa was the chief seaport for Judea and was about 38 miles from Jerusalem. Today it is called Jaffa and is a suburb of Tel Aviv. Dorcas was a disciple of Christ, and she was renowned throughout the city for her good deeds, sewing garments and, no doubt, quilts. According to the story, she became sick and died. It happened that Peter was in the nearby town of Lydia, and when Dorcas' friends heard this, they sent two men to get Peter. When Peter arrived, they showed him to an upper room where Dorcas lay. Peter prayed and said, Tabitha, arise." Immediately she opened her eyes and sat up This miracle became known throughout the city, and as a result, many believed in the Lord.
What a wonderful testimony to those who labor behind the scenes to alleviate suffering and want. A lowly seamstress was brought back to life to continue her good works. She is a model for many women of our day who have fashioned their lives after her example. When the cold winter wind blows or a natural disaster strikes, 10,000 Dorcases appear with their needles, "full of good works."
