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!