Whats in a mantle

Have you ever heard of wearing a mantle?

Jesus said the Holy Spirit was upon Him because God called him. The calling comes first; then the Holy Spirit gives us the power to walk in that calling (Acts 1:8).

in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given to people selectively but thankfully for the New Testament we are all called to the same ministry as Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20).

My great gram was was anointed with a mantle by God. It was displayed in her service to giving a room in her home to those that had no place. Her special gift was in the flowers she grew on her corner lot on Main Street that gave incredible beauty to her little town.

My gram was anointed by God to wear a mantle to be in a light of in His service to the women of her neighborhood. They were drawn to be with her as she fed them her time, her food, her love of Jesus. Her special gift was in creating layettes for her churches sponsored missionary.

My mother wore the same mantle. Her special gift was in her feeding not just food to all but in written words in a newspaper column and various Christian magazines.

I wear a similar mantle. My special gift? In time I or others will look back and say “oh it was this” or “it was that” and then we will know.

I see signs that my daughter wears one. It will be interesting to watch it unfold upon her and take the shape of the Cross as well.

We all found that the mantle is heavy, maybe our cross, definitely our gift, and its worn with love for Jesus. Its our gift to Him to serve.