God the Father chose you [yes YOU] because of what he knew beforehand. He chose you through the Holy Spirit’s work of making you holy and because of the faithful obedience and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May God’s grace and peace be multiplied to you.
1 Peter 1:2 CEB
https://bible.com/bible/37/1pe.1.2.CEB
“The art of being human is in uniting fruitful activity with a contemplative stance—not one or the other, but always both at the same time.” COC, Rohr
thedailylily.com 
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
The good deeds remind me of the little song we would sing about David with his sling shot! We would sing, “what’s that your holding in your hand?” Tools from my tool box!
Yesterday I received a gift from Tammy Holton!
Tammy and her husband and his Mom gathered and made a family tradition for them and much to share with community. I am blessed to be a part of their community. The gift gave me joy in “story time” as we shared remembrance of times gone by. Plus delighted my taste buds.
And, it didn’t stop there I learned of newness happening in her church community which was a very pleasant surprise as we continued to connect dot to dot in prayer, praise and encouragement.
One good deed has limitless results when the deed is “love lights” it shines so bright the world can see.
🎶Twinkle Twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are! Up above the world so high like a diamond in the sky! 🎶
The quote seems to go right along with picture of the many tools. It takes knowledge serious thought and skill to know which tool to select to get the job done, and how to use the tools for the desired results.
That picture filled with so many varied tools, each used for a specific purpose, reminded me of the scripture, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.” Ephesians 2:10
Sara, it sounds from what you wrote/shared that you received a great gift from “Tammy and her husband and his Mom” as they shared the products from their skilled toolbox!
From Tammy Holton
My footnotes……Some of the footnotes for 1 Peter 1:2 (NLT) says:” this verse mentions all three members of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. All members of the trinity work to bring about our salvation. The Father chose us before we chose him (Ephesians 1:4). Jesus Christ, the Son, died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5: 6-10). The Holy Spirit brings us the benefits of salvation and sets us apart ( makes us holy, sanctifies us) for God’s service ( 2 Thessalonians 2:13). How did God “choose” us? Don’t we make our own choices? God alone originates and accomplishes our salvation because of his grace; we do nothing to earn it. Being “chosen” in no way removes the necessity for people to choose to follow. The fact that God knows all events and decisions beforehand, even ordained them beforehand, does not mean that he forces the actions of his creatures or leaves them with no choice. Instead, God’s for knowledge means that he took the initiative and chose people before they had done anything to deserve it. God had intimate knowledge of these future believers; he knew who would believe, and he knew them personally. Those chosen ones were known by God the Father as a father knows his children, except that God knew about them from eternity past. God is not trapped in time— what he knows is from eternity past into eternity future. Believers are chosen, but not against their will. When the time comes, they accept the gospel message.”
WOW! Just WOW! Think about Tammy’s footnotes and pause long enough to recognize your emotions whether in or out of the family of God’s children! 🙏🏼
“Those chosen ones were known by God the Father as a father knows his children, except that God knew about them from eternity past. God is not trapped in time—“ quote from Tammy’s footnotes
“Think about Tammy’s footnotes and pause long enough to recognize your emotions whether in or out of the family of God’s children!”
Reading Tammy’s footnotes produce an emotion of thankfulness in me….”Instead, God’s for knowledge means that he took the initiative and chose people before they had done anything to deserve it. “
And thinking about ‘time’ and “God is not trapped in time—“ but knowing we have limited time on earth to make choices (“Being “chosen” in no way removes the necessity for people to choose to follow.“), brings to mind a lesson, “The Sundial – What Time Do You Have?” from Sara’s workbook, Dressing for His Glory” . The lesson instructed , “Making the very most of the time (buying up each opportunity) because the days are evil…” and a quote we were to memorize, “Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me; to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit. Rev 22:12” The picture in this blog of all the tools, sure seems a reminder to use them with the time we are given.