Beloved Seamstress: Dorcas - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

BELOVED SEAMSTRESS
by Linda Edwards

Seeing the stacks of neatly cut, small squares of fabric on
the table made Carlos curious. "Aunt Maria, what are you going to
DO with all those little pieces? They don't look like they are
big enough to use for anything."

Aunt Maria chuckled at her nephew's comment. "I am
going to sew them together to make a quilt. Then I am
going to take the quilt to the mission to give to someone who
needs it," she replied.

"That sure is a LOT of work! Why would you want to do all
that work just to give it away?"

With a smile, Aunt Maria looked down at Carlos and
said, "I enjoy making quilts, but I have all the quilts
I need. The Bible says that we should do good things for other
people. Besides that, it makes me glad to see the happiness it
brings when I give a quilt to someone in need."

BELOVED SEAMSTRESS
by Linda Edwards

"Pe-ter! . . . Pe-ter! . . . Please come quickly! We need
you to come to Joppa right away. Please HURRY!"

Peter spun around to see what all the commotion was about.
"Calm down young man. What is it? What can I do for you? What has
happened to make you hurry so?"

"Oh, Peter! It is just so AWFUL! You remember Dorcas,
don't you? Everybody loved her. Some people called her
Dorcas and some people called her Tabitha, but everybody loved
her. She was so kind to everyone she met. She did good things for
people. Remember how she liked to sew? She even made this shirt
just for me!"

"Yes, yes. I remember Dorcas, but tell me, what is so awful?
Why have you come?"

"Peter, they sent me to come get you. Dorcas was sick. Then
she got even sicker, and nobody knew what to do. The doctors
couldn't help her. Finally, she died. They are preparing for the
funeral. The people told me to come get you because they thought
you would know what to do."

This was very, very sad news for Peter to hear. He
knew what a kind woman Dorcas was and he knew that all
the Christians, both the Jews and the Greeks, loved her dearly.
That is why she had two names.

As he went with the young man to the city of Joppa, they had
quite a conversation about all the new clothes Dorcas had made
and her other kind deeds. They were both very sad that their
friend had died.

The people were waiting anxiously for the arrival of Peter.
Some met him on the road and walked to the house with him. Peter
went upstairs where the funeral arrangements were being made. The
room was filled with sad, weeping people. Peter could BARELY get
inside.

"See this lovely dress she made for me!" a young lady cried out.

"She made nice shirts for all four of my sons," another one said.

"I would have been so cold during the winter if she had not
made me a warm coat."

On and on the people talked, showing Peter the things she had
made.

Peter knew EXACTLY what he needed to do.

He gently asked all the people to leave the room.

Then he kneeled down beside the
very still body of Dorcas...

...and he began to pray:

"Dear Father in heaven, I know that You can do all things. You know
how Dorcas was well loved by all the people because of the good
things she did. Will You please bring her back to life? In Yah'shua's
name. Amen."

With that, Peter spoke softly to Dorcas, saying, "Tabitha,
arise!"

INSTANTLY she opened her eyes! She saw Peter! She sat up!

Peter held out his hand and helped her stand. He called the
people to come back into the room. They were all AMAZED and happy
to find Dorcas alive.

Yahweh had answered Peter's prayer!

What a wonderful MIRACLE!

The people crowded around to see her and to hug her. They
were all so happy. They ran out of the room, out of the house,
and into the street to tell EVERYONE they met the good news that
Dorcas was alive. Because of this great miracle, many people that
didn't believe in the Master Yah'shua the Messiah became Christians that
day.

THINK!

Why did Dorcas have two names?
How did Dorcas help others?
How can you help others?

A VERSE TO LEARN

"Let us do good unto all..." (Galatians 6:10a).

LET'S PRAY

****************************************************
Dear Yahweh, I am so thankful that You love and
care for me. Thank You for all the people
that are good to me. Please help me to remember
to be kind and do good deeds for others.
In Yah'shua's Name. Amen.
****************************************************

CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
Acts 9:36-42

You can view this Bible story in full color with pictures and
resources to go along with the story at
http://www.childrenschapel.org/biblestories/dorcas.html

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