Thirty years' lace

3:25 p.m. Today's project was to welcome our friends Kenny and DeAnna here so that she could stitch a lace flower from my wedding gown onto the train of Heidi's gown. It's a family tradition for the "something old" which began with our daughter Heather's gown three years ago. And who knows if a third generation's bride might use a piece of her mother's gown!

This morning as I read my portion of scripture, Numbers Chapter 2, I noticed that God commanded an exact count of each of the twelve tribes of Israel, especially the men ages 20 and above (fighting men), and that each family, clan and tribe were to stay together in a specific area in relationship to the Tabernacle. The NLT charts it out very well: Judah, Issachar and Zebulun on the east side, first to lead when the Israelites moved forward; next, Reuben, Simeon and Gad to the south; then came the Levites carrying the Tabernacle and all its furnishings; then Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin on the west; bringing up the rear were Dan, Asher and Napthali on the north side.

If we hadn't believed it until this point, we can see that God is a God of exacting order and cares deeply about details! He wants His people to be safe, well-positioned for war, and His glorious Presence over the ark of the covenant guarded above all by His chosen servants the Levites.

God tells us in His word that He cares about the small details of our lives, whether as part of a family event, our daily walk with Him, even our thoughts, because as Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT) says,

For the word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.

As I watched Deanna sew on the flower piece with excruciating attention to each minute stitch, I was inspired to do my utmost in my endeavors in family life, Bible teaching, business and caring for our home. God sees and knows all about you and me, so why not please Him by doing things His way, "as unto the Lord." (Colossians 3:23)