More from Carol Westerlund

“Who are you? Describe yourself.” It can be a formidable request. I grew up in the United States—Minnesota born and bred. I invited Jesus into my heart at a Billy Graham conference in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota as a teenager. After college, I moved to Finland to try and find my roots. For many years I worked here as an ESL teacher and a translator. Now I am retired at 66 years old. I have not, however, been “put out to pasture.” I take an active part in church and enjoy writing, handwork, and music. Prayer and fellowship with other Christians is very important to me.

But all my activities are not enough to tell you who I am. I find my identity above all in this: I am a child of God. People look in so many places to find their purpose in life. But if in all their efforts they leave out their Creator, they miss the point. For God—being the One who made us—is really the only One who can tell us just why he has done so.

As for devotionals, they usually come quickly and intensely. I recall something from my past, then I stand there with the Lord and take a look at it. And I can see a connection with scripture. I write it down in half an hour or so, and I have a devotional . . . a thought to share with others in the body of Christ. Indeed, all of life is something to look at holding Jesus’ hand. In that way meaning arises from the most commonplace of things, which my devotionals are based upon. Before I give the impression, though, that I am very holy in all my ways, I need to point out that I do not always grasp God’s hand. But life is meant to be lived with God because he alone is always holy.

As with everyone, my life has its challenges as well. One of the most significant of these is epilepsy. I live my life managing around petit mal seizures, a few a month. Normally right after a seizure there is no inspiration to write or do anything creative. However, this passes in a few days, and I start up again. Usually I start with handwork. For example, I like to crochet for mission groups, often warm winter hats or little crosses. It’s not always crocheting though . . . yesterday I found I could bring new life to my old socks by pushing glass jars into them, transforming them with a little stitching and decorating for new use. This concept of transformation which I spoke about in my devotional continues in practice in my daily life.

All in all, I am truly grateful that the Lord our God makes all things new that are offered to him—from old socks to broken hearts.