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!)

the ANY time gift!

Cappucino
Originally uploaded by KeepingKnitSimple50

There is an alarming statistic, recently posted, that revealed that there are still people in this world who do NOT know how to knit! i can't even fathom what their life must be like .... not able to enjoy the trips to the local yarn shop, the shear pleasure in finding yet another place to stash their yarn, the heartfelt joy of being able to share a knitted gift with family and friends! Bless their hearts! I really feel compelled right now to just stop and pray for them! That God would be merciful and send someone their way - to open their eyes to the hobby that He, Himself created when He knit you and I together in our mother's womb .......

Rather than stress over the fact that you don't have a knitted gift for this friend on your list, why not seek out this wandering soul and invite them over for a CAPpucino party?

Adopt a missionary mindset: Begin with a large, festive mug, fill with a fluffy skein of yarn in your friend's favorite color and then top with a pair of needles appropriate for a hat. Attach a gift card that has an invitation to teach them HOW to knit and then explain to them that before they leave your time together they will have all the skills necessary to make their very own stocking CAP!

Of course, it wouldn't hurt to share some cookies to go along with the coffee ... but if time won't permit such entertaining at home, then why not agree to meet for coffee while out and about .... nothing wrong with stopping in the midst of the day and sharing time with a friend ... and to be able to teach such a lifelesson and offer them a new sense of direction ... what a friend!

need more justification: why not consider this the best New Year's Resolution and/or Diet plan around! Avoid holiday treats and extra pounds by WALKING through the stores in search of the PERFECT yarn ... a) that counts as exercise .... b) yarn won't spike your blood sugar c) there are no calories in wool! d) drinking water while knitting/shopping will keep you hydrated, keep your hands busy so as not to eat those unnecessary treats and voila! -- the pounds will fall off of you and into your knitting stash!

what a GREAT friend you are!

Merry Christmas .... now go find that lost friend and give the gift that keeps on giving! PS: it's always nice to have a friend to find a sale with!