He knows every detail…

I was so blessed to get both the baby shower gift and our nephew’s birthday present finished in time!

God truly had every detail of these projects in His hands.

I didn’t realize just how much so, until the phone rang.

Asthma had kept me at home, so I wasn’t able to be there when my sister-in-law opened her gift.

However, she blessed me so much with a phone call after all the work of cleaning up the shower and then getting home and unpacking.

I’m sure she was super tired, but she called me anyway.

She wanted me to know how special the gift was to her.

Her grandmother had always knitted and crocheted things for the family.

She explained that the very same pattern I used on the baby’s sweater was one she remembers her Grandmother using in clothes for her.

It had really touched her heart.

It did mine too.

I only recently learned that specific crochet stitch and I was quite nervous about trying it on a gift.

Yet, I couldn’t get away from the fact that God wanted me to use that specific one.

Of course, He knew it would bless her.

Only God can work through such details.

Only God could have known what would bless my sister-in-law.

I’m so thankful He choose to use me to bless her.

He truly is in everything!

Even the details.

Praise the Lord!

The red sweater

Because I’m still learning how to listen to the Lord.

Because I’m still learning how to obey.

This red sweater has been in progress for over a month.

I started it right after I finished Anne’s sweater.

It gave me all kinds of trouble.

I was learning everything.

It was a new stitch, a new style, a new way to make a sweater.

Mistakes, tearing out, and trying again were common.

Just when I was feeling like it was coming together, I ran out of yarn.

Yes, I could have ordered it on Amazon, but I hadn’t kept the label.

The yarn was a Christmas gift.

So, I knew I’d have wait till my energy and schedule provided an opportunity to go shopping.

It was over two weeks before I was able to go shopping and God blessed me with the exact yarn.

It was even on sale!

The Lord reminded me I needed buttons as well.

I was so excited! Of course I was too tired to work on it that day, but it was a step in the right direction.

Then life happened.

Although I had the needed materials, other priorities pushed it aside.

So, I was surprised when the Lord brought it to mind this week.

“I’ve not finished the baby shower gift. I haven’t even started Ethan’s birthday gift.”

Trust Me.

Why do I question God? Like He didn’t know all the details already, I thought I had to remind Him?

-uhg-

I truly apologized for my poor behavior and grabbed out the project.

It’s been a process.

Frankly, I’m not sure I like the end result.

However, both Anne and Sis said I’m being too critical.

They are probably right.

Whether this sweater is exactly what I was thinking it would be or not, it’s just another opportunity to learn.

A reminder that every detail is in God’s hands.

It’s a reminder I’ve needed daily this week.

I’m so thankful for the Lord’s patience with me.

I’m so thankful for His perfect plans.

I’m so thankful for His promises.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord , thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

A lesson in perspective

Saturday, I had been putting something in my calendar and had a bit of a shock.

My sister-in-law’s shower is coming up.

“Oh no! Lord, I don’t have anything made for her. What am I going to make in the amount of time I have with my other projects unfinished?”

It’s incredible the gentle way He handles my heart.

Make a sweater,hat, and bag. And don’t worry, you have lots of time.

Because my brain spouts questions and doubting without the slightest hindrance, I responded:

“But Lord, I can’t possibly get all that done. I have these other things I have to do first. To do all that I’d need to stop my other projects.”

It’s alright. I will lead you.

All my concern melted.

“Yes, Lord. I’m sorry for being afraid.”

Later in the day I was busy working on a surprise for our granddaughter, my son-in-law walked in followed by the rest of the family.

Anne quietly removed the gift in progress.

Because I’m always crocheting when not doing anything else, I grabbed out some soft yarn and began working on the sweater.

It’s nearly finished.

It would have been done yesterday, but one piece has been super difficult.

I had to rip it out and restart three times.

The last time was this morning before church.

I couldn’t understand why it was giving me so much trouble.

My prayers turned to inquiry.

“God, why isn’t this working? You told me to make this. What am I doing wrong?”

Little one, you are trying to tackle this like an enemy to be overcome. I gave this to you to enjoy. It’s about the process and the finished result being a blessing. It’s not a challenge to conquer.

I had to apologise.

He’s taught me this lesson before.

There is fun in the doing.

He doesn’t want me to create just as a duty, but as a joy.

If it were only about getting a gift, I could buy something.

It’s so much more.

It’s about praying for the baby who will wear it.

It’s about loving the Creator who created both this baby and me.

It’s about learning more about Jesus as I create.

After all, the care and effort and joy I have in making something pales compared to His in making each of us.

And it’s an opportunity.

Creating something with the abilities God has taught me is a way to praise Him.

And I never want to miss that.

I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to finish it today.

But even if I don’t, I’m going to enjoy the process, not just the finished result.

Because life is so much deeper than the doing, the accomplished.

Life is truly about relationship.

I’m so thankful for my relationship with my Lord Jesus.

How amazing He is!

Sweater

My sweet children have lovingly warn the sweaters, hats, and other items I’ve made them all their lives.

Christmas brought me more yarn. (squeak!)

Before beginning, I’d asked the Lord what I should make out of this beautiful yarn.

So, I began this cardigan for Anne.

When it was finished Anne seemed pleased and I was blessed.

I’m currently working on a different cardigan for myself.

Both of these projects are a stretch since I’m using stitches I’m unfamiliar with.

Yet, it’s been good.

To stretch out of the easy way.

Learning something new and then practicing it till it because fluid is effort.

In crocheting it can be both frustrating and a bit humiliating.

With the project I’m busy with now, I’ve had to rip out and restart twice.

Years ago, I’d have likely given up and gone back to the easy way.

I had many reasons for such.

But this time is different.

I know God wants me to learn something new, no matter how long it takes.

Because there is more to learn than the new stitches.

I can experience wonder at seeing thousands of stitches form a garment from a skein of yarn.

I can find patience in being precise and careful with every hook and pull.

I can enjoy the process of creating, not just the finished product.

And I can pray.

While crafting my with my hands I can be lifting others up in prayer.

Especially if the garment is being fashioned for a particular person.

Like Anne’s sweater.

Many prayers were stitched along with the hooked yarn.

Prayers for her person, her future, her health, her…

It’s always a pleasure.

I’m looking forward to seeing how this next cardigan turns out.

Whether it’s done soon or takes me a long while, I pray it will continue to be an opportunity to learn.

And a reminder to pray.