Social KNITworking

Recently a movie came about the creation of a Social Network called "Facebook", which although originally intended to be an exclusive site for the Harvard Campus, has now become a worldwide phenomenon.  It would seem that despite all our attempts to run home and hide after work, there is something within most of us that really wants a connection with the outside world ... with parts of our past (at least the ones that we liked and/or can control!) and perhaps even a small soapbox on which to share our moments of glory, seek answers to questions or share a bit of the sadness in hopes of dispersing some of the disappointment.

Knitters really are no different . . we are ALWAYS looking for someone to share our yarn, our completed projects, to ask for help, to include in the fun we are having ... someone to just sit and knit with!  And while Facebook has afforded many of us a venue to accomplish some of these tasks, it would seem that for the knitter, their social network could be found by visiting a site called Ravelry.  What started out as a 'conceptual dream on a wishlist' came to fruition in 2007 when a young couple launched a knitting site that has grown by leaps and bounds.  Originally you had to submit a request for an "invitation" to join and then wait several days, checking your inbox often (hourly) to see if you got the "Reply" ....

but now - - all you have to do it "just Sign Up!" and you're off and running/knitting!  Boasting over 1,000,000 members, Ravelry has become a knitter's dream as far as a database for patterns, for yarn, for project pages where you can document things you're working, forums and groups that you can join to see what everyone else is working on .... places for notes - - the good/ the bad/ the ugly ....  sell your patterns, buy new patterns, get TONS of free patterns .....   if you've not done so, please go NOW for a visit and join!  Get ready to live vicariously through those people who knit all day and night and are incredibly organized and post all their milestones!  (just be careful not to visit too often during working hours, lest the boss notice that glazed over look of longing in your eyes as you are planning your next knitting project rather than working on the next budget project that he is waiting for!)  . . . unless of course you teach him to knit ... there are groups for the male knitters as well . . .

With all this need for 'connection' i can't help but wonder if this isn't really just a true extension of the very way we are created . . . God's original intention was to create us for Himself . . for that companionship He envisioned with Adam and Eve. And ever since those early garden days, He has so patiently and lovingly continued to seek out ways to maintain the connection ... it's such a driving force of Who He is that He has gone so far as to sacrifice His one and Only Son so that fellowship can be restored when i trust and accept that Precious Gift of His Son as the only way to connect with God, my Father!  Deut. 4:29 reminds me "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."   He LONGS to be found!  It's the way we are made!

Realizing that this "Search" can actually be accomplished makes for a very rewarding relationship, in that we are created to Search ... He is just waiting and intending to be Found!  It's not a game of Hide & Seek, filled with hours or days or years of clue chasing and hopeful or frustrated searching .... God's sole purpose is to be the caring Father of each of us .. and when we make the true Social Connection with Him we find that it's a true fit and perfect compliment ... Snug and Secure for eternity!

"You will seek Me AND find Me when you seek Me with ALL your heart."

Jeremiah 29:13

So, have you signed in yet for the Original FaceBook Account?  One in which you are connecting and seeking His Face - - the Father of Lights and the Body of Believers that are called His Bride?  There will be no invitation in the mail ... He sent His invitation to you over 2,000 Christmas's ago .... He's waiting for your RSVP and reply to His Friend Request ... and longing to sit and knit with you ..... in fact, Psalm 139:13 reminds you that He Knit You together ..... so actually, it would appear that God was the creator of Ravelry as well!