There are so many times I struggle with priorities. I try to simplify life, but I’ve got many irons in the fire and it’s hard to do. Which thing should I be devoting myself to? Am I doing too much? Should I crochet while there are dishes in the sink?

Prioritizing is a constant battle for me, one I feel like I often lose.

But this week–a crazy week of homeschool training and days away from home–I saw the purpose of what I do in the form of unfettered joy.

I have a new friend who is a new Christian. Those of us who have walked this path for a while might forget what that is like. She is constantly seeing things with a new purpose. She sees the clouds and gives credit to Him who made them. She sees love in a question from someone at church. She shows us all what it means to give yourself to something and trust in the Lord. She has an amazing testimony that is just starting!

This week, after a shared dinner, she asked me about my crochet.

“Do you have some yarn that maybe you could make a blanket for me? I’d pay you for it,” she said.

I briefly weighed whether or not to ruin the surprise. I’d been working for four days on her blanket.

“Do you want to see your blanket?”

She looked at me a little uncertain, “What? Shut up.”

I ran the few steps to the living room and grabbed it out of my works-in-progress basket, “It’s not done yet, but this is your blanket.”

She was shocked. “You’re kidding, right? That’s not really my blanket.”

“It’s your blanket. I’ve been making it for you.”

I have never seen such joy! She was so thrilled that she had been thought of. She gave me a huge hug, and I was so thankful for the renewed purpose it gave me. To see life through her eyes right now is amazing!