“And all the women whose hearts’ wisdom was in their hands spun what they had spun in blue, purple and crimson yarns, and in fine linen.  And all the women whose hearts prompted them in great skill spun the goats’hair.”  Exodus 35:25-26

My reading of the Bible this week has the temple in the desert almost completed.  God calls for all the children of Israel to bring their best work to give in sacrifice to the Lord.  When the women bring their handiwork: fine linen cloth of blue, purple and red, Moses is very pleased. Later, the women bring mirrors as an offering and Moses has a different attitude.  Then, God speaks up for the ladies and suggests that a gift of one’s heart is a great gift indeed.

So it is with us.  Giving one’s best is a gift to those who can see and appreciate it.

To an Israelite woman of this time, a mirror was a treasured possession.  To give it up for God was a gesture of such goodness and God recognized this.

God does see us.  He sees what we struggle through and he knows when we are giving our best effort.

And he sees the contributions of the women weavers.  For it is their handiwork that graces the front entrance to the holy temple in the desert.