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Knitting Away Idleness

Time Management Women's Concerns Productivity

Source: "Knitting for Victory" by Paula Becker ,Posted 8/19/2004, HistoryLink.org, Essay 5722

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2025-06-08

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16 ; Proverbs 31:27

Author: Illustration Exchange
2

ILLUSTRATION

Weird Wonders reports:

In 1918, if you saw a woman walking down the street, chances are her hands weren’t idle. With needles clicking and yarn flowing, she was likely knitting on the move—adding rows to a pair of socks while heading to work or strolling through town. It wasn’t unusual. It was everyday resilience, wrapped in wool.

During [World Wars I & II], knitting wasn’t just a pastime—it was a patriotic act. Women across the Allied nations answered the call to support soldiers overseas by crafting socks, scarves, mittens, and caps. Red Cross campaigns and posters urged them to “Knit for Victory,” and they responded—often using every spare moment to help. Even their walks became turned into a workshop.

But this wasn’t just about necessity. It showed skill, determination, and a beautiful kind of multitasking. These women made the most of each moment, choosing usefulness over leisure, weaving warmth and care into every stitch. In a time without modern distractions, they found meaning in motion—turning something as simple as walking into a gesture of hope and solidarity.

It’s a small glimpse into the strength of that generation—and the quiet ways they changed the world.

Knitting while walking was more than just a practical skill—it carried deep cultural significance. In many communities, particularly in Scotland and England, it symbolized efficiency, industriousness. Women, especially fisherwomen, would knit while walking to maximize their productivity, ensuring that every moment was used most efficiently.

Beyond practicality, knitting while walking also reflected social and communal traditions. It was often done in groups, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. In some cases, it was even seen as a form of resistance and empowerment, as women used their craft to support their families and contribute to local economies.

The act of knitting while walking, in particular, reinforced the idea that women could balance domestic responsibilities with broader societal contributions.

But knitting in what would otherwise be "idle" moments was NOT just female phenomenon. Even young school boys, prison inmates, and taxi-cab drivers got in on the action.

 

APPLICATION

Time is ticking away. Are you making the best use of it?

Okay, you may not want to take up knitting. But are there small habits you can incorporate into you day to turn your idle time into more productive time? Perhaps making phone calls of encouragement while driving to work or the grocery store, or going through your prayer list while fixing supper, or listening to Scripture while you mow the lawn or work on the car. Or better still, turn off the TV and go mow your elderly neighbor's lawn! You get the idea ... just be creative!

Now, by way of balance, we are not called to fill EVERY idle moment with meaningful activity. After all, it was the Lord Himself who ordained the Sabbath rest. Yet we are still admonished in Scripture to make the best use of our time to: 1) to take opportunities for ministry and service, and 2) to avoid the traps of idle hands, hearts, and lips.

So pick up some needles [literal or figurative LOL] and get going! Like the knitters of generations gone by, "in quiet ways" we "can change the world!"

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV).

"Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not" (1 Timothy 5:13 ESV).

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:27, ESV).

"For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies" (2 Thessalonians 3:11 ESV).

"A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich" (Proverbs 10:4, ESV).

"For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV).

"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest" (Proverbs 6:10 ESV).

Women Fleeing Churches Even As Men Return

Church Health/Growth Women's Concerns Men's Concerns

Source: "New poll reveals young women are abandoning churches in unprecedented numbers as young men are finally coming back" by John Knox, published Apr 8, 2024, NottheBee.com

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2024-04-09

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Author: Illustration Exchange
6

ILLUSTRATION

The NOT THE BEE (NtB) social news site recently reported that Gen Z women are leaving Christian churches in record numbers, according to a surprising new poll.

But even more surprising is that the recent trend of men exiting the Church en masse, it is now reversing, so even as women are now leaving in record numbers, men are actually returning.

According to the pollsters:

Over the last two decades, which witnessed an explosion of religious disaffiliation, it was men more than women who were abandoning their faith commitments. In fact, for as long as we've conducted polls on religion, men have consistently demonstrated lower levels of religious engagement. But something has changed. A new survey reveals that the pattern has now reversed.

"Men, meanwhile," reports NtB, "seem to be growing into a greater devotion [to] religion in a way that has been unfamiliar to America since the 20th century began." This is evidenced by more findings from the study:

What's remarkable is how much larger the generational differences are among women than men. Gen Z men are only 11-points more religiously unaffiliated than Baby Boomer men, but the gap among women is almost two and a half times as large. Thirty-nine percent of Gen Z women are unaffiliated compared to only 14 percent of Baby Boomer women.

 

What's more, NtB reports,

This recent study [also] showed 57% of young men want to start a family compared with 45% of young women. It is far from normative for a society to raise such a large percentage of young ladies (who are the gatekeepers for sexual selection and procreation) who do not want to start families.

 

APPLICATION

All of this, on the one hand, spells real trouble for American churches and American culture. As more and more women choose to not procreate, our population, and the rockbed of our society, the family, will continue to shrink or even die. And as women abandon our churches, many of the core functions of those bodies will go unfullfilled.

Volunteer ministries, for example, are largely spearheaded by women. With fewer women, the Church is likely to look different in how it relates to the culture.

Yet, there is a promising silver lining emerging, as young men return to the church, and return to their love for and desire for family.

Let us pray the Lord will use this generation of young men to hold the line, reassert themselves as strong husbands, fathers, and church leaders (even as they assume many of the volunteer positions traditionally held by women). And let's pray for this generation of young women, to rediscover their critical roles in our churches and families. Finally, pray for the Church as a whole, that it will likewise hold the line of truth and genuine spirituality, so these young men and women have someplace to come back to.

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).

 

Beautiful or Average, You Choose

Beauty Self-image Women's Concerns

Source: “Watch what happens when women are forced to choose between walking through doors marked 'average' or 'beautiful'... as it is revealed that 96 PER CENT of women rate themselves as average looking” By ANDREA MAGRATH FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA, PUBLISHED: 8 Ap

Link to Source: Click here to view source

Contributed By: Barnett Gushin | Date Posted: 2015-04-13

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:3

Author: Barnett Gushin
10

ILLUSTRATION

Beautiful or average? As a woman, how would you categorize yourself?

The makers of Dove soap asked that question in a worldwide survey. To demonstrate the results, they set up signs at the entrances of buildings around the globe. At each location, one door was marked “Average” and the other was marked “Beautiful.” (Click the link to source above to view the video that has gone viral. )

Across the board, women overwhelmingly chose to walk through the door marked “Average.” In fact, a staggering 96% chose that door. A mere 4% chose to walk through the door marked “Beautiful.” Sure, some stopped and pondered the possibility of choosing “Beautiful,” but all too often they abandoned the choice. The reasons were varied. Many felt that it seemed like vanity to admit that they considered themselves beautiful, while others genuinely believed themselves unworthy of walking through the “Beautiful” door. 
 
One woman from Shanghai picked the average door, saying: “Beautiful, to me, is too far out of reach.”
 
The DAILY MAIL reports:
 
Dove says that feeling beautiful is a personal choice that women should feel empowered to make for themselves every day.
 
However, many found that when they had to behave in a way that revealed their image of themselves to the world - they balked.
 
Many said afterwards that they regretted their decision, and that it had affected how they felt about themselves. …
 
The company's marketing director Jennifer Bremner said: 'Dove Choose Beautiful urges women to embrace this personal choice, because when we do, it unlocks happiness and confidence that impacts women's self-esteem.  
 
Women watching the campaign took to social media to express sadness that so many people felt the need to put themselves down.
 
One woman nailed it, saying, “I choose beautiful because if I don’t think it myself, no one else will.”

APPLICATION

Dove is onto something here. All women are intrinsically beautiful. Sadly, most are hesitant to embrace their true inner worth, either because they don't believe it, or for the fear of appearing vain.
 
As children of God, we are indeed ALL intrinsically beautiful. Feeling valued is a choice the cross of Christ empowers us to make everyday. God wants us to embrace our beauty—own it. Not the outward beauty of personal appearance, but the inner beauty of a heart and soul redeemed and perfected by the perfect love of a perfect God. 
 
It’s not vanity to acknowledge the value that God attributes to each of us. It’s the truth and it is liberating. Don't balk at the opportunity to behave in a way that reveals your self-image in Christ. For how are we to convey to others their worth and beauty in the eyes of God, if we cannot acknowledge it and embrace it within ourselves?
 
Unlock the joy and happiness that comes to those who choose beautiful in the eyes of God.
 
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" (1 Peter 3:3-4).

The Significance of the Women at the Tomb

Easter Apologetics Women's Concerns

Contributed By: Fred Gates | Date Posted: 2015-03-31

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16 ; Galatians 3:28

Author: Justin Taylor
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A Woman Without Her Man

Women's Concerns Honor Equality

Contributed By: Barnett Gushin | Date Posted: 2014-12-09

Scripture: Proverbs 31:31

Author: Barnett Gushin
3

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The Hikers

Humor Bible Women's Concerns

Contributed By: Larry Reagan | Date Posted: 2014-09-05

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19

Author: Mary Jane Winter
6

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All Things Valuable Are ...

Modesty Value (True Worth) Women's Concerns

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2014-01-12

Scripture: 1 Timonthy 2:9 ; 1 Peter 3:3

Author: Hana Ali
4

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No Rest for the Weary (Or the Dead!)

Resurrection Women's Concerns Humor

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2013-10-18

Scripture: Proverbs 31: ; Luke 24:6

Author: Illustration Exchange
3

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What's Her True Value?

Women's Concerns Value (True Worth) Cost

Contributed By: Charles Schuyler | Date Posted: 2013-03-23

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10

Author: Georgia McCafferty
4

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Who IS Jesus, Anyway?

Jesus, Messiah Humor Women's Concerns

Contributed By: Illustration Exchange | Date Posted: 2013-01-19

Scripture: Matthew 16:16

Author: Illustration Exchange
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