Hand-made

The colors, fragrances, sights, and sounds of the street fair blended into a harmonious mix of joy on the sunny spring day. The fair drew hundreds of artists, sculptors, painters, quilters, potters, silversmiths, woodworkers, weavers, crafters, and other creative artisans from across the country, eager to display their wares. 

Enticed, I perused the aisles, marveling at the talent of each artist. A grandfather made custom-built live-edge furniture from local natural resources. A quilter's guild displayed award-winning hand-stitched quilts. An experienced weaver demonstrated the versatility of the looms she used to create rugs, shawls, table runners, tote bags, and fabric for clothing. A food artist lined up a variety of artisanal, home-baked sourdough loaves. A father and son forged handwrought iron gates and doors. Fiber artists displayed hand-knit clothing and crocheted home decor. A Native silversmith worked on a turquoise ring as we watched. One Native American man, who had worked as a shepherd, displayed his collection of Southwestern-style oil paintings, while a Navajo woman, dressed in a velveteen blouse and a long, full skirt, spun wool yarn from fleece to make blankets. 
  
All of the displays featured only handcrafted items. Nothing was factory-produced. Even duplicate items (place mats, napkins, or clothing), had unique characteristics that set them apart from each other.  

Tags or signs at each booth reflected the status of the goods:  “Hand-made,” “Hand-crafted,” “Homespun,” “Handwoven,” “Hand-stitched,” “Hand-wrought,” “Artisanal,” or “Custom-built.” 

Oh, the many skilled hands it took to create all the wares on display! However, it took more than talented artisans for the street fair to function. There would have been little purpose for it without an audience.  The visitors or clientele—who might have been your or me—are unique, too!

God, the Master of the Universe, created you and me—and every other person who has inhabited this planet since the beginning of time. Out of those millions of human beings, isn't it a humbling thought to know that you are unlike any other person who has ever existed? Your fingerprints are like no one else's. Your DNA is solely your own. (Even twins have DNA mutations). Everything about you is unique!

You are God’s creation. Hand-made. Handcrafted. Custom-built. By Him and for Him. The talents and gifts given to you by the Holy Spirit are unique, too. Truly, you are one of God’s Masterpieces!
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"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully  made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14 NIV

Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com 
 

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