not anther SCARF! ! ! ? ? ?

Do you remember what your 1st knitting 'project' was?  or what your inspiration was for learning to knit?  For some strange and truly odd reason, the majority of people say to "knit scarves".  Perhaps that's because they are more fashionable now ... and not everyone has good hat hair .... and we've become a people that has to justify our time invested based on the end results, which must be immediate, practical AND perfect!

but a scarf?  REALLY?  that means a 1st time project that is 5 miles long (or so it seems as the repetition comes over and over and over and over like a broken record player!) .... and before long the eagerness of learning is lost to the dullness and ruts that are created by the ribbing . . .   for many, scarves are the 'safe go-to' ... rather than adventuring out and trying something new, they opt for 2 skeins of yarn and just start knitting yet ANOTHER scarf!  Why not try a new 'twist' on your basic scarf?  . . . and then there are those people [like me] who suffer from knitting ADD and get so distracted by the 'next project' that i fail to often enjoy the current process of whatever i'm working on ..... easily 'led astray' by all the pretty colors and pictures and yarns and needles and oooo ... did you see that sweater over there ......

Quote from my reading this morning: "Poeple who live this way [worrying about the future rather than today] find a dullness creeping into their lives. They sleepwalk through their days, following well-worn paths of routine. ... I, the Creator of the universe, am the most creative Being imaginable. I will not leave you circling in deeply rutted paths. Instead, I will lead you along fresh trails of adventure, revealing to you things you did not know."

Gen. 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens AND the earth!

Nothing dull, uneventful or unimaginative about that day i'd say! Rather, a reflection of what He longs to do in my life ... EVERY day!  somehow i have to believe that my Father longs to knit a scarf EVERY day ... trying new patterns in the yarns He has chosen for me .... why should i worry about His plans for me for next year ... why not relax and see what today looks like as it flows from the needles in His hands!  Worse thing that can happen?  I land in His lap!  Still close to His heart ... and able to glance up to His eyes that reassure me that i am loved and cared for .. and knitted together by Him!

too big for my britches . . .

i am so VERY gullible!  my knitting is a reflection of that!  can anyone please tell me when i think i am possibly going to have the time to knit all the yarn that i have 'collected' over the years?  and what about all these books and magazines?  remind me, please, how many projects i have actually completed from the pages of all these examples?  and yet, i run to the store and roam the aisles for hours ... touching the yarn, flipping through the new books ... clipping my coupons to save money on more new knitting needles ...

instead, i should be home knitting .... learning new things .... trying new techniques .... giving more things away!!! seems my vocubalary is loaded with Verbs these days, but they are all rather self absorbed, rather than truly 'servant' oriented!  [not that knitting is always about giving away ...]  I have learned the value of slipping into that quiet cocoon of concentration so that the rhythm of the needles, the stitches that fall into my lap, help me to focus on other things in my life.  BUT collecting new and different 'yarn/needles/books' is no replacement for seeking Help when i'm stuck on a new/old project .... when i encounter a Knot in my yarn .... Or my life!

i know this may be 20+ years too late, but i'm sitting here now wondering if i have made a HUGE mistake w/ my kids (aside from their obvious family quirks and uniquities ...) ....   i was taught, and thus, passed on to my children that they were to grow up and be self sufficient! learn to do things 'on their own' ... Independence was a sign of success! "Cut the cord" .... "let them make their own mistakes" . . . blah! blah! blah! in fact, society is STILL selling books and dvds and commericals on this very thing and yet as i read this morning in james and in john my true Sucess in measured by my ability to COME to the Father. My growth and 'personal achievement' is designed to thrive and flourish when i LEAN on Him and not my own understanding [not that THAT would take much to do!] ...
So, the question for me today is two fold: DO i COME to my Father with everything - - joys AND sorrows, celebrations AND consternations? or am i TOO INDEPENDENT for my own good?

NO ... and YES! i'm afraid i'm 'out of order' if i will be honest with myself! I was taught that i was supposed to share 'my toys/things' .... but somewhere along the way i seemed to dismiss the concept of sharing it ALL with Him ... because He genuinely WANTS to KNOW! Pride perhaps ... which has been documented to 'go before a fall' ..... or just ignorance coupled with laziness?

I AM the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from ME you can do nothing! John 15;5

Perservence must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:5

Sorrows shared results in a load that's lessened; Joys, when shared, are multiplied. Hallmark didn't come up with this concept; God did! (note to self!)   Bring your daily knitting to Him ... He's got the pattern AND the patience to help!   kind of gives new meaning to "Fix it Daddy!" please?

can i ask you something?

 When was the last time you Swatched?

they say confession is good for the soul, so just relax and tell me:  DO you Swatch .... sometimes?  never?  ALWAYS?     i wonder if there's a Personality Trait that's revealed by your answer? 

Okay, i'll go first.  My answer:  Sometimes ... but usually NOT!

i just JUMP RIGHT in ... start knitting ... and then try to make it WORK since i didn't take the time to swatch!  and for the most part that philosophy has served me well .... i mean, a scarf's a scarf .... right?  but sometimes a 'hat' might just turn into a 'beret' if my tension is too loose!   and a sweater could end up as a shrug if my calculations don't match the ball band!  so .....  i have to Let Go ... Rip Out ... and start over!

BUT that all-too-familiar Life Lesson we've come to call FROGGING happens ... and i rip it out ... only to begin again!  However, in my defense there HAVE BEEN actual times when i swatched and used the recommended needles and failed to achieve the suggested gauge .. so i had to modify needles .... lighting ... shoulder tension ... i've come to learn that starting over is just part of the process ... and doesn't mean that i can't knit .... or that i shouldn't try again .... i just have to release my current 'grip' and regroup ....

The last line in my devotional reading this morning: "Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!"
Ouch! and AAAhhhhh! all at the same time .....
Bottom line: With Him i'll NEVER be empty handed! Can you remember the last time you slipped your tiny little "daughter" hand into your earthly father's hand? the feelings of connection .. and safety and security despite whatever else was going on around you? the sense of pride and 'belonging' that came with those moments of bonding .... the Identity you took on beCAUSE of who's hand you were holding?
it's been more than a LONG time since i was young enough for those little girl days ... but the peace that comes from the obedience of slipping my hand into His is overwhelming. He never lets go - even though i often tug away in defiance (or ignorance!) .... He never holds me so tight that it hurts ... or so non-chalantly that i wonder if He cares. He leads me to green pastures, beside still waters, to the banquet table .. and ultimately, He's proud enough of me, thanks to His gift of redemption, to take me Home to meet His Father - - whom i can call mine!

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Ps. 129:23-24

So i have to ask .... am i a Swatch that He's pleased with?  Does the yarn of my life lay smoothly and consistently with His recommendations for the Needles that should knit my day together ..... or are the bumps and buckles indications of my impulsive choice to just hit the ground running .. knitting with my own ideas and without following His pattern!

The Fountain of Youth

what a goof i've been! with all the commericals on tv i've come to realize just how how old and unattractive i am! BUT for only 2 easy payments of $19.95 i can buy the scientific clinical breakthrough oil that reverses signs of aging ..... or i can log onto my computer and get a coupon for $$$ off a secret formula that will plump up all my tired crows feet and melt away the wrinkles! who knew! some days i think i look pretty good ... until i turn on the television and realize what a failure i am! i must cause everyone to go blind when i even think i should walk out the door! [at least according to the commercials!]

BUT ... have you ever noticed that when you sit beside someone who is teaching you something that you are interested in learning, that the "age" barrier seems to disappear?  Focus on both sides becomes that of passing on the knowledge and often the eagerness is contagious on both sides!  Teaching a friend to knit has that affect on me .... it doesn't matter to me if you are 7 or 75 .... coordinated or clueless .... there's something rejuvenating about sharing.. and for Christmas this year, i plan on making 'lessons' one of the gifts to give to some of my friends.  I'm starting to buy Christmas mugs now and watching for yarn and needles to go on sale (or good coupons to help with the purchase!) ....  Attach instructions for a Cap-pucino, along with time to sit and knit .. and the bond between us will be taken to a much deeper level!
The key in in the Connection .... and this morning .. i have discovered the fountain of youth! according to physical measurements of age and agility my 'calendar' is winding down .. my strength isn't nearly what it used to be, my eyes DEFINITELY have issues and my arms aren't EVEN long enough ..... and yet, in so many ways i am stronger than i've ever been .. and i find that my strength and youth are rejuvenated according to the investment and infusion of time spent with the Lord!

I have become its (the church's) servant by the commission God game me to present to you the Word of God in its fullness - - the mystery that has been kept hidden

for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles

the glorious riches of this mystery,

which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We proclaim Him, admonsihing and teaching everyone with all wisdom,

so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

To this end i labor, struggling with all His energy,

which so powerfully works in me.

Col. 1: 25-29

That's IT!!!! no bottles ... or coupons ... or fancy packaging .... although it did require one extremely gracious payment on His part . . HE IS THE BEAUTY SECRET we ALL are searching for! His energy - not mine! WORKS IN ME - no 30 day risk free trials are required! no need for a money back gurantee if not completely satisfied .... He is my Hope of Glory ..... Period. The End. How i pray that my age will be measured by others according to the years spent loving Him, not by my crows feet! by the friends i have shared my faith with ... not by my ability to cover the gray! By the gifts and talents that He uses to bring glory to Himself ... not by anything else that i may say or do! (who knew that knitting could open the doors to share His message .... but when you present yourself as a living sacrifice to Him ... He can and WILL use your string and needles  ... and make you beautiful from the inside out ... even when you are simply sitting ... and .. knitting!)

Be Still ... and Know ....

i was asked last week to participate in the Ladies Ministry "Gifted" Christmas program in November and i've spent a good amount of time pondering on what i could share as far as knitted things .... i need projects that are quick and easy, some that are a bit more nostalgic, those that are practical and then some that are just plain fun! Which means - - i've spent many hours pondering ... and pouring through books and yarn and knitting samples and swatches in search of the perfect combination and compliment for display ....

and in the midst of all this 'stewing' i've found myself reminded all the more that this is EXACTLY how God wants me to spend my day with regard to Him! He LONGS for this much time and attention, a continual feast of devotion and attention to His detail .... to linger over those things that are noble and right, pure and lovely . ... to share my faith with Him by simply dwelling . .

those words aren't really in our vocabulary much these days .. what with all our means of staying connected with the entire world .... all our social networking ... our electronic devices and media that blares into every crevice of who we are ..... and yet .... the easiest way for me to find Him is to STOP! ..... He really is okay with my just sittin'n'knittin . . . and i do seem to find more inspiration and encouragement and forgiveness and grace and mercy and a perspective that is more closely mirrored to His when i turn off the TV, put down the complicated clutter that pulls me from Him .....

my shoulders relax ... my heart seems to steady ..... and my stress melts into genuine Worship as i come to Him, Just as I Am, without one plea .. but that Thy Blood was shed for me ... and that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God! I COME!

Ex. 33:14 My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Phil. 4:8-9     Finally, sisters, whatever is true .. noble ... right... pure... lovely... admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy ... think on such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me , or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

one bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch girl . .

i'm trying to finish a baby bonnet ... that in my mind is going to be simple and sweet and oh so beautiful .. and actually i've completed all the knitting and am down to binding off.  Sounds simple enough but .... i now am the master of more ways to bind off than i ever thought i'd be!  i spent much of saturday nite becoming incredibly acquainted with about 20 of the stitches on that little bonnet ... binding off ... ripping out .... searching through books and the internet and trying something new ... binding off ... ripping out ...

and then .. finally making up my own version!  ;)   lesson learned:  you can't quit just because it didn't work the 1st time!  or the 2nd .. or 3rd .. or even 4th!  With knitting, quitting is NOT an option (besides . . what WOULD i do with my stash .....)  i found this neat page at knitty.com that offers some really neat recommendations to consider ... [most of which i tried] .. and have now included this in my Favorites for future reference - and inspiration. 

but now, it's monday morning and  ......

ever have one of "those" days when you just feel STUCK? at 5 in the morning, it's not the best of feelings to start the week . . . and yet, i'm sitting here ....

i've read my assigned "reading" for the morning and the verse that was suggested as well ..... but my eyes are drawn to 2 extra passages that keep tugging at my heart ...

Isa. 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
and then down to verse 9 ...
My soul yearns for You in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for You.

and so .... here i sit .. and find that THAT actually IS the perfect description ... all i can think of now is Him! His holiness, His omnipresence and omniscience (i did listen yesterday) . . His love for me, my desire to please Him, to follow after Him as He shepherds me through my day . . . the thought of perfect peace in the midst of a high school front desk? who knew! :)

ctually, i DO ... and am gently slipping into the whole armor of God so that on this monday i can find the rest He's promised in the green pastures of my day, so that i can literally hear the running ripples of the quiet water that flows beside me as i walk down the paths of righteousness that He has mapped out for me ...
be still ... and KNOW ... that I AM God.

(I would bust out in song .. but that would certainly put a damper on such a sweet spirit! :) ... however i do know that i have a song in my heart ... because my chains are gone, i've been set free, my God, my Savior has ransomed me ... and like a flood, His mercy reigns ... unending love, Amazing Grace! ... [feel free to hum along]

not sure which 'bind off' method He has prepared for me today - - but as long as i continue to focus on the Master Knitter of my life rather than the obstacles that could knot my day, i know that i will be the cashmere scarf He can wear proudly around His neck!

what IF you Turn the Page?

Do you have those tried and true patterns in your repetroire that you always 'revert' back to in an emercency?  i  Love my Basic Washcloth Pattern for quick and eash washcloths . . the Mistake Rib Stitch works great for scarves .... I have a Basic Toboggan Pattern that i can just sit and knit on auto pilot when i need to crank out a quick hat . .

however, in a recent search for one of these patterns i decided to 'turn the page' and just SEE if there was another option to consider . . and i found a really neat little lace pattern that i can use for a prayer shawl . . all because i turned the page.  i realized that i had grown very complacent with the 'comfortable' and had lots some of the adventure from a new stitch . . or trying something in a new way . . .

i just found a verse that i'm sure has always been there .... but i've managed to overlook because the preceding verses are more 'famous' ..... and although they are good ones, i'm actually quite intrigued by my new 'discovery' ....
Heb. 12:1-2 ... begins with "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses . . . . Let us fix our eyes on Jesus . . . and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
howEVER ... i just found verse 3

Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful man,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Consider: a word that implies an on-going action .... a point to ponder Yesterday, Today as i'm sitting here, Tomorrow as i think ahead on things . . . . Consider. It would seem that this pretty much puts an end to my excuses and pity parties ..... not really sure i can play the 'they're picking on me' card anymore ..... or the 'why me?' question when i Consider what He endured for me . . . Consider - to do so with regard to the rest of my day will leave me counting blessings rather than self perceived burdens .....

Considering will plant a seed of hope in the middle of my aching heart because i feel betrayed or neglected by friends . . really? wonder what Jesus felt by my betrayal . . and everyone else's that he ENDURED!!! Really? [too bad i can't type inflections into all my "really" words? because this is DEFINITELY an inflected tone . . . ]

i think this is the place where i bow my head and with an incredibly HUMBLE HEART simply say Thank You Father that You would even CONSIDER me .... despite what i've done to You .... Thank You for demonstrating Love in such a way that i can Always have a picture to refer back to and be Inspired .. not weary; so that i can continue moving Forward and not give up! Thank You Father for letting me DWELL in Your Presence so that i can CONSIDER Your love for me .... with each step i take and each stitch i knit!  Thank You Father for turning the Page for me so that, because of Your Son, You now see me in a new and forgiven Light!

. . therapy . .

In the Rhythm of the Needles ... there is Music for the Soul.

That is one of my all time favorite quotes that resonates so very deeply with me - - it a concept that has grown as i have learned  ... and actually am drawn ... to those quiet moments when i can sit and knit ..... and allow myself to sort through things that may be going on in my life.

Obviously, this quote can be taken in many different ways ... as in Lace:  the rhythm and song ss often sung AFTER it's all said and done and the beauty of the finished creation stirs your heart to that precious place of peace.  Often the "rhythm" is experienced in the regularity of the simple stitch - - the basic knit and purl of a scarf, or sweater, a washcloth or socks . . patterns that are established and therefore offer peace in the process.  And then there are those times when the "Music" is felt just when granted the moment to touch and feel and hold the yarn and recall the therapeutic nature and order that such "rhythm" can and will bring ....

And while i'm not really sure where this quote originated, i have found an 'original' verse much akin to this one .....  except BETTER ... and TRUER ..... and STRONGER ... and SO PERSONAL ... and AVAILABLE to cling to ... to quote .... to dwell on and tuck in my heart ..... and now share with you! . . .

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make His face shine upon you ... and  be gracious to you;

the Lord turn His face toward you .... and give you peace!

Numbers 6:24-26

I realize that i'm not always going to be able to 'sit and knit' in the midst of things so that i can have those 'rhythmic' moments of knitting and peacefulness ... BUT with the gift of His Presence, i can - and do - abide and dwell and rest in the Peace that Passes all understanding .....  because He has promised ... and His Word is Life to me! ..... Thy Word have i hid in my heart - - that i might not sin against Thee!   No room for anxious thoughts or worries .... His Graciousness is shining on me ... and gives me Peace!

FAITH . . .

     EQUALS

Now FAITH is being sure of what we hope for ... and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

I think that this could most certainly be a life verse for me as a knitter .... so often i have the Big Picture of the Finished Project, the recommended yarn and appropriate needles, good lighting, time to sit and knit and create ... but despite all the right 'conditions' i have no guarantee that what i attempt WILL match the picture. It most definitely requires Faith on my part to Begin the Knitting Journey .... to maintain the process despite the times that i don't understand exactly how 'what i am doing now' will actually result in my string and needles looking like The Picture!

However, with each stitch i attempt i find that before long a shape begins to form.... a pattern is established .. and i rest in knowing that i CAN follow the pattern ....  i'm not resting in my own abilities, per se, but am trusting that the journey will indeed result in the destination/sweater/scarf/hat i was planning for!  FAITH ....

Sitting and knitting is like that tiny mustard seed .... which can move mountains .... AND make sweaters; it results in many, many hours of relaxation and pleasure when i recall where i started, lessons i've learned along the way, times i've had to FROG a row or two or three .... and even the projects that have been completed and captured in my knitting scrapbook.

WithOUT FAITH it is impossible to please God,

because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists

and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

i can almost knit on auto-pilot most days because i have learned from things i've done along the way.  How much more should my every day life be lived, in fellowship with my Father, based on the journey He has created and mapped out for me.  The pattern of my life that He is knitting ....

*it had a beginning (50 years ago),

        *each day/stitch has a purpose as it builds on the past and is setting up for 

                   the next row of tomorrows that He has designed,

                        *and because of my Faith in Him i KNOW my life has a end ...

                                a "reward" in heaven to spend eternity with Him.  

If i can follow a pattern from a designer i've never met, then why don't i rest on the FAITH i have that my Heavenly Father can, will and does knit my every day into the most beautiful of cashmere creations .... learning to see things thru His eyes ....  i have 50 years of proof that when He knits it's going to be a one-of-a-kind perfect fit!

. . He started it!

Psalm 62:5-8  Find rest, o my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.
                      He alone is my rock and my salvation; 
                      He is my fortress, i will not be shaken.
                      My salvation and my honor depend on God,
                      He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
                      Trust in Him at all times, o people;
                      pour out your heart to Him,
                      for God is our refuge.

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega" say the Lord God,
                      "Who is, and Who was, and Who is to come, the Almighty."

I Peter 2:9  But you are a chosen people,
                          a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
                                     a people belonging to God, that you may declare
                         the praises of Him who called you out of darkness
                  into His wonderful light. 

James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above,
                    coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
                    Who does not change like shifting shadows. 
                    He chose to give us birth through the Word of Truth,
                    that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.

Point to Ponder:  From the very beginning of time, God has given me blessings and ordered my day .... not so that i'd always have prizes to open BUT so that i would always be aware of Him..... it's not about the Gift ... but about the GIVER!   Which is exactly how i feel about the things i knit .... perhaps the sleeves were too tight on her sweater ... but really? ... i was just trying to show her, in stitches, how much she means to me!

those first socks i shared with you? perhaps a bit rough compared to what others may have knitted, but none the less, i wanted to say "you means the world to me" .... that cotton washcloth was a reminder that i'm always thinking of you ...... so maybe as i go through today and hit a rough patch that would appear to not be knitted as 'securely'  or as 'pretty' as i would have hoped, i will learn to look to the Giver of Good Gifts, and be reminded that His motive is Pure Love ... the Gift of His Presence that constantly abides with me regardless of how the external packaging may be!   (granted, i DO question why He opted to use such 'bulky' yarn when He knit certain parts of me together .....  but overall, i have come to realize that I am His favorite color!  I am His favorite gift!  I Am HIS - and He loves me just the way I am!)

you say poTAYdo, i say poTOTo .....

have you ever been told that "you're not doing it the right way" when it comes to how you knit?  perhaps you hold the yarn in your Left hand and you 'pick' the yarn as you knit, thus making you  a Continental knitter versus someone who holds the yarn in their right hand and 'throws' the yarn, which is indicative of an English knitter.  Both have their merits and clearly personal preferences exist everywhere, but the bottom line is that it boils down to what feel right for you and achieves a uniform stitch.



There are multiple ways to increase your stitch count while your knitting ... there is the option to Make 1 by knitting into the front AND the back of the same stitch, or you can simply us a backward loop to add a stitch (which is good for buttonhole rows).  you can pick up the loop on the row below to add an additional stitch or even use the horizontal bar between stitches as the base for creating another stitch.  Each has their own merits and each has it's own pitfalls as far as degree of difficulty or the "hole" that may be left when it's all said and done.  Decreases - well there's more than one way to accomplish those as well.  Life isn't always a Knit 2 together scenario!   (who knew!)    you may find that a SSK - slip, slip, knit - will provide a more appropriate and discreet slant in  your knitting....  so many choices, so many options .... and all are "right" at certain times and places!

i have learned that there are very few absolutes when it comes to knitting other than making sure the stitch is correctly and consistently situated on the needle.  other than that, it really does come down to what feel right to you ... what will result in you calling your knitting adventure 'FUN' and not frustrating!  there really are a growing number of things in life now that provide an incredible range of interpretation, whether it be styles of knitting or styles of fashion, menus of food or playlists of music, choices for television viewing or volumes of reading .... and yet, there is one thing that i have learned is non-negotiable: The Love of God! 

"I (Jesus) have loved you with an everlasting love; 
  I (Jesus) have drawn you with loving kindness."  
[not really seeing any 'variation' options in His promise as He stated here in Jeremiah 31:3]

In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed.
In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.
[from those early days in Exodus until this very morning, His love continues to lead me .. i am one of His redeemed; one of His children who He guides/knits and calls to Himself].

Hebrews 13: 8 states it perfectly:  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! 
not really any room for interpretation ... now .. is there?

It doesn't matter to Him which style i choose when i knit as long as i know that i know that i know that I am His child ... a child of the King.  Loved and adored despite my past.  Period. The End!

who's got the remote?

if my husband is home .... the tv is on.  FACT!  and 9 times out of 10 he is sitting and watching the tv.  he's a nite owl so he watches tv, or dvds, or reruns, or infomercials .... something is ALWAYS playing for him to watch.  and as life would have it, i still don't have quite the same level of "appreciation" for that many opportunites to sit in front of a box and watch it.  Thus . . . i learned . . . to knit!

now -  granted, there are times when it's nice to get lost in the suspence of an intriging movie ... or sit and cry like a girl at a great chick-flick ... laughing an at old comedy from my childhood or whistling with andy griffith while they are walking to go fishing .....  and of course ... ANYTHING HGTV counts as Worthy Time investments .....  but all the rest of the Viewing Grid becomes a measure for my knitting projects.  you know what i mean:  if it's a new movie that i want to watch and haven't seen before then i may choose some basic yarn and just sit and knit a scarf that requires NO thinking and NO pattern reading!  if it's a rerun of a sitcom then i might work on a simple sweater project where i a can make notes on the rows i've completed, not get too lost in the instructions and still follow the premise of the show ALL at the same time.   but then, there are those tv shows (usually sports) that allow me hours to work on lace ... i can read the chart, maintain my place in the pattern AND on my needles and nod in approval or cheer on demand when the time is appropriate! 

i have learned the hard way that the intricacies of lace require a commitment of time and focus ... AND attention to detail ... i have to THINK ... i have to CONCENTRATE .... and i have to have the quiet option with no distractions in order to make things work.  and it would appear that my daily walk with the Lord shadows this very process as well.  Some of the journey is filled with "sweater knitting" as i sit at work and greet people that walk through the front doors of our school.  Answering the phones, greeting the guests are, for the most part, second nature but leave room for me to be aware of God's Presence without clinging to Him for reassurance.  He has equipped me for those moments and i can rest in them.  

However there are THOSE times when the day is anything BUT comfortable .... you've had them:  if it CAN go wrong ,,, it WILL .... time and time and time again!  [all within 30 minutes it seems like!] ... and at THOSE moments i find myself wanting to run for some 'scarf knitting' where i just go through the motions but don't really have to think .... however .... the Truth of the matter is that in the midst of the worst of times God is calling me to knit 'lace' with Him!  To focus solely on His design and get lost in His Calming demeanor rather than being engulfed by the turbulence and outer conflicts ..... 

Somehow chaos and lace don't mix .. and yet ... knowing that when i run to Him, Jesus brings order to each row of lace that He is knitting in my day .... His lace is filled with increases and decreases, yarn overs and knit 2 togethers ... at times there is simple knitting and purling ... and then He adorns the row with a variation on His theme .... Trust and Obey .... Knit and Purl .... grab the remote, Change the channel and see what is showing on His Network!

Humble yourselves, therefore,
   under God's mighty hand,
     that He may lift you up
             in due time.
                      
                            Cast all your anxiety on Him 
                                   for He cares for you.
                                         I Peter 5:6-7

time for Fray Check

are you a member of Ravelry yet?  please tell me that you've taken the 10 seconds it requires to join this amazing website that is FILLED to overflowing with patterns and opinions and forums and funnies and just about anything in between for the the knitter (and even the crocheter!).  this site contains options for recording and documenting your personal collection of yarn, books, projects started, frogged AND finished ...  it affords you the option of leaving a trail for others to see ... or simply the ability to loose yourself in the dreams and plans of projects to come!

many days (and nites) i find myself pouring over the patterns - which are very distinctly categorized in order to optimize your search time.  you can sort by pattern type, type of yarn used, ease in construction, even patterns WITH pictures versus those without.   and i have found that if and when an option presents itself withOUT a picture i just move on to the next one.  Clearly, my knitting 'faith' is lacking ... i'm a Big Picture kind of knitter who still enjoys the inspiration (or crutch) of what my end result is supposed to look like!

if i'm not careful i sometimes find myself making these same demands of the Lord when it comes to my own life and living each day.  in my mind i think it would be better if He'd lay things out early in the morning so that i could see what was waiting - then i would develop my own plan for how to handle things and get on with it ... or whine about it if i didn't like it .... or just avoid it if it appeared to hard [despite the fact that He had intentions for making it work to my good] ..... clearly such a strategy wouldn't be all that advantageous to me if He left me in charge! 

on paper it would appear that i really don't have any "pictures" to go by and that i walk blindly through each moment ... each stitich of the day.  however, NOTHING could be FARTHER from the TRUTH!   Every day is filled with the Creative Memories of Who He Is, candid snapshots of the realities of reaching for His Hand and resting in His ability to lead and guide.  Choosing to follow Him provides me with access to a heavenly "Ravelry" site where i can peek into the albums of those who have already lived and knitted according to His Master Pattern .... their lives and stories captured and documented as their hearts were knit together with His.  Quite simply:  We walk by faith, not by sight   [2 Cor. 5:7]

i firmly believe that the Lord knows and understands our weakness and lack of faith despite all the instrutions He has left us in His Word, and that is why we also have so many physical, visible, touchable demonstrations of His love and consistency when we look back on the projects He has finished in our own lives as well as those of others.  Imitation is the highest form of  flattery regardless of whether it's wanting to knit a scarf using the same yarn and pattern as another knitter ... or when it's relinquishing my own desires in order to be Knit by Him because I have seen what He has done or is doing in someone else's life.  Resting in the reality of His Presence because of the Light He shines .... enables me to Knit by Faith and NOT by site .... and His works always turn out well!  The Hall of Faith as recorded in Hebrews 11 could be inspiration enough ... but He has graciously filled 1,651 pages [according to the Bible Scrapbook that He has left for me to use this morning] with example and inspirations and proven documentation of what He will accomplish when i yeild to His workmanship and design for the yarn of my life.   He guarantees a perfect fit when it's all said and done!

I am the Light of the world. 

Whoever follows Me with never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.

John 8:12

following His plans guarantees no frays or ravels - no loose threads to threaten my progress - when it's all said and done, the tails of each finished day will be woven into place, and i will reflect the sweet fellowship and  faithful design that has resulted from resting on the capable and skillful needles of my Creator and Master Designer.

Simple Pleasures

ever had one of THOSE days when all it would take to make it better was to just sit and HOLD your yarn?  when things seemed to be more than just a bit awry, perceptions of progress were viewed as going backwards rather than the forward hopes and plans originally intended? if you had to sum up your day the phrase 'what a waste!' [complete with eye roll] would come to mind?  please, oh please, just let me sit and knit and then everything would be okay!  do you know what i'm talking about?

it's at 'these' very moments when returning to the basics of it all seems to be the perfect solution, the most desirable of tasks . . to make the connection again with a ball of string and some needles and be able to recall the restoration of 'level' when thinking back on what happens when you just sit and knit!  one of my all time favorite quotes says

"In the rhythm of the needles there is music for the soul!"

and i have learned, time and again, just how perfect that fits into my life .... into my day .... and often into the very moment of whatever is going on around me - to recall the Joy of the task, the Contentment of the investment, the Connection in single stitches of progress.  Knots are inevitable in my every day AND my skeins of yarn .... but nothing can deter the simple pleasure, or melody, of this overall process.

yesterday i was floored by a 5th grader who asked me if i could explain to him what 86 BC meant.  when i said that BC talked about the years before Christ was born he very innocently looked up at me and said "What's Christ?".  I honestly stood there and thought my heart was going to stop because i don't know that i've ever encountered someone without ANY clue of who the Lord was.  there are plenty of people around me who choose NOT to believe ... but to meet someone this up-close and personal who didn't even know that Jesus was a CHOICE ???? !!!!!!   OH MY SOUL!!!!   My heart broke and all i could do is pray that God would guide my ever word as i seized the innocence of that moment to explain the plan of salvation with the holidays of Christmas and Easter .... he replied "oh, isn't that one of the stories in the Bible?  My mom said she'd get me a Bible!"   WHAT?????    i've got Bibles laying all over my house and here before me stands a child, who represents an entire family, without a single copy of His Word??  Oh Virginia Lynn .....  the basics!  the bascis!  no need for long dissertations of the Holiness of the Diety, and the Vengence of an Angry God and the Grace and Mercy of the Post Millenial Kingdom ....   this child needed the simple "Sit and Knit" basics of Who God is and how Jesus wants to live in his heart!

To describe my day as FANTASTIC would be a bit on the sarcastic side most days - - finding the Joy in each moment comes for seeking Him withIN each moment - He shows me the "sit and knit" spots along the way, and this helps to put things in perspective so that when i do encounter the Knots .. or the hard questions that take me by surprize ... i immediately know WHO to run to ... Who can undo the Knots and get the stitches of my day back on His needles!  I know that i can run to my Father with arms outstretched and plead "Fix it Father!" and He will gently take the mangled mess of my day and patiently put things back in their proper place ..... How i long to be able to sing "I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart!  Down in my heart to stay" as He knits me together, day by day .... hearing Him hum the chorus along side me as He sits and knits my heart to His!  (wonder if He grins when He gets to just hold the yarn of my life without me squirming and wiggling and trying to slip off His needles? ! ..... or if His shoulders relax and he says to Himself  "aahhh ... I remember:  knitting IS fun?)  .... just curious ...........

My Daily Knitting Companion



amazon.com

it was family weekend this past weekend at union university ... and we had a wonderful time with rachael.  we enjoyed spending time with her and seeing her 'in her element' with friends - hearing them giggle, watching them talk about classes and sorority and church and life in general.  we shared an afternoon of ballgames; we spent time shopping and sewing, we had the privilege of attending church with her and worshipping together.  it was a great family weekend and a reminder of just how quickly life changes.  seems like just yesterday she was just beginning school and it would be forEVER before i would have to think about her leaving ......
it also seems like eons ago when i 1st learned to knit in the back of the car on a trip home for christmas.  all i wanted to learn to do was knit a scarf.  that's all!  didn't really know what that meant per se, i just wanted to knit a scarf and make gifts for my friends and family .... just simple, knitted scarves.  and looking back, i do believe my 'want to' has continued to grow with each new thing i've learned and my confidence has grown - - in addition to my stash!  ;)

it started with a simple knit stitch ... and then row upon row the memory of the motion began to stick in my head AND in my fingers and the tension eased from my shoulders and actually laid rather nicely within my knitting. before long i was purling ... on purpose!  awkward at first, but i had learned that practice was the key and stitch by stitch i soon learned this next step in the progression of knitting. once the basics were grasped (though there were/are still holes and 'issues' along the way), i soon became to view yarn in a more adventuresome way .... dreaming of possibilities and actually believing that they COULD happen. before long i was pouring over patterns, adding additional needles to my collection, searching the internet for inspiration .... and making lists of projects that i wanted to do ....   all because i learned the basic knit stitch.

as a believer i have found the very same correlation of events ..... my confession of faith when i was a senior in high school was the culmination of years of knowing ABOUT the Lord but never genuinely and publicly surrendering to Him. the initial introduction was so very liberating, to realize my eternity was now secure in  Him and just being able to relax in that confidence was amazing.  however, such knowledge had now instilled a new hunger and drive for wanting to know more ... for studying His Word, for sharing with His Children, for spending more time with Him in order to get to Know Him!  How was/is that possible?  Through the precious gift of His Holy Spirit, Who has served as the Companion - Counselor - Guide with each new day i'm given.  Realizing that i am called to serve, and not just sit, requires a consistent investment and surrender to seek and find and apply the things that i am taught each day .... each minute ..... with every stitch that He is designing for me.

"The Knitter's Companion" by Vicki Square is a neat little spiral-bound book that you can drop into your kntting bag and have on hand for any knitting emergency or just generic question that may arise while you are knitting.  I have found that the gift of the Holy Spirit is even MORE of a Companion that any book i've tucked in my knitting bag.  He is immediately there ... just waiting to lend help, to intercede, to gently (or firmly) guide as my will surrenders or my stubborness flairs up!   Yet it all begins with that 1st initial knit stitch of confessing your sins before the Lord and accepting His precious and priceless gift of salvation ....

"Now I am going to Him who sent Me .... But I tell you the truth:  it is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. . .  when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is Mine.  That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you.              John 16:5-15

gives new meaning and insight into the gift of My Knitting Daily Companion!

Garter Stitch Love

Red Hot Sweater Jacket,
a free Lion Brand Yarn pattern

do you remember those first early days when knitting was new and adventuresome ... sometimes it seemed incredibly frustrating as your fingers fumbled around with the yarn ... my attempts at coordination often left me feeling more like a 4 year old rather than a 40 year old!  BUT there was something "there" that continued to feed my creative (and competitive) side ... i was determined that i was going to learn to knit ... and it was going to be FUN ... dad gum it!

i'm afraid i've grown quite opinionated over the years about my knitting 'progress' and have often found myself judging my very own progress based on "what" i am knitting at the moment.  case in point:  unless the project i am working on now is harder/more complicated/takes longer than the one previously, then it's not really a big 'deal' and i'm not really learning much ....  now, i didn't say that my ideas were good ones .... or even smart ones ... i'm just saying that my ignorance is often more prevalent than even i realize at times!

the new kohl's opened this week and i actually paid money for a swing style sweater that is knit ... and it's all in  .............  GARTER STITCH.  yep!  that's right .... i paid for a garter stitch garment ... on purpose .... (but it WAS on sale and i did have an additional 30% off!) .....  and i LOVE it!  it has made me stop and realize just how far i've come from my early days of garter stitch scarves where i felt like it took 6 years just to knit one scarf .... or those amazing garter stitch washcloths, whose monotony has actually become rather therapeutic in nature ..... oh my soul!  i need for it to be cooler so i can wear my new sweater ... with pride .. and be inspired by the basic and simple knit stitch.  Period.  The End ......

as i stood and admired the 'craftsmanship' of this knitted (by machine no doubt) garment my heart was pricked, actually, to think about another first love of mine .....  i can still remember the day that the Lord called me as an 18 year old senior in high school ... i remember how compelling the conviction of that moment was, i remember the urgency of coming and confessing and seeking forgiveness and longing for restoration from Him,  i remember waking early with a renewed sense of wanting to learn EVERYTHING about Him because i was so in love with Him .... His Word took on a new meaning, quiet times were precious though i fumbled around in some awkward moments when i approached Him..... everything....  EVERYTHING seemed to be heightened ... time with Him, time with His children, time in His Word, time in His Presence ....  really rather simple ..... basic knit stitch investments .... i guess i could say those early days were Garter Stitch Love ....

and i'm afraid i'm now so busy 'doing' in order to demonstrate my love that if i'm honest i've lost some of that zeal ... and luster .... and honest innocence in pursuing Him and Him alone.  Who said that the Garter Stitch was a bad thing (i know, i know ... i actually am guilty of that mindset.) 

Matthew 11:28-29 simply says:
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest!

Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and my burden is light."   

SO ........ Here's the knitting lesson that the Lord has shared with me today:

"Hey Ginger, come sit and knit over here with Me when you are too tired or worried and don't think you want to go any further, and I promise you that I will teach you, I will GIVE you rest!  Here! ... Wear my Garter Stitch Sweater/yoke and Watch and Learn from Me:  See!  I AM Gentle and Humble - really very basic!  With this mindset Ginger, you too will find the rest and fulfillment you are seeking in everything and from everyone but from Me... and,  when you do turn to Me you will recall those "1st love moments" when you relinquished control and allowed Me knit your early days - - remember?  Knitting is supposed to be "FUN" - - and it was as you submitted to My design for the yarn and needles of your every day. Oh!  and one more thing:  My Garter Stitch yoke fits perfectly . . and you look so pretty when you stand tall and allow your shoulders to relax and reflect your trust in Me!"    Love, Your Father!