To be appreciated

I have been crafting for over 32 years. Self taught at crocheting and most recently a knitter. I truly love making things with my hand. As far back as I can remember I’ve loved color, contrast, matching, complementing and coordinating. Even in high school I took art major and some friends and family display some of these projects. Recently I set out to brush-up my degreed area of graphic design.

One Christmas I made everyone in my family and close friends gift from mittens, hats, turbots’, scarfs and afghans. Over the years I have made it a point to make sure all of my closest friends had an afghan. Recently I realized that some of my newer friends did not have a cozy so I’ve embarked on remedying this.

But as I embarked on making these gifts of warmth I could count on one hand how many really appreciated these gifts. Some when in passing say, “You know I have mine.” While others just flippantly look away dismissively. However, today someone expressed how this handmade gift is just what she had been praying for.

Some gifts crocheted, some knitted, digital designed and even some canning. Lord knows in my heart I truly love giving not just the gift but taking the time that it takes for me to make these items. Picking out the pattern, selecting the color, making it, gift-wrapping, praying over the item as I make it, and mailing it. My precious time that the Lord has honored me; time that I can never regain, a true part of me is put in each item that I make.

Yes, those who do not appreciate these gifts of love out weigh the ones who just beam from knowing the care that I’ve given them, my time, my love…these I cannot get back is well worth it.

Conversation of longing

ME: Oh My Baby I miss you so much this morning. How I long to be with you.

Andriess:  Mommy, I miss you too, but He has much work for you there in the natural. We shall have our eternity together with Him.

ME: On the outside the face of gladness because of Him and on the inside the heartbreak of celebrating your 21^st homecoming…I miss you each and everyday, hour, minute, second because I see those celebrations for you in this life I shall never have when I look at other’s children each and every day  – graduations, marriage, grandchildren, triumphs and days of lessons learned.

To you out there who are chasing around for that perfect Christmas gift. It has already been given. It is Christ and no money can purchase it. So as we prepare to celebrate His birth in three day all you have to do is say “YES” to this gift and your life will never be the same. It will give you a motivation and a peace for living even when the obstacles of the life tell you there is none.

HE is the reason for the season and the reason that I can live and proclaim His name today faced with the earthly fact that I have buried two children…King Jesus my brother, my Savior…a gift through grace (unmerited favor) You are mine and I am Yours!

Thank you Love

Lord THANK YOU…it really isn’t enough. Especially in the light of all the foolishness that You have to put up with from Your creation. All You want us to do is to freely love and serve you.

In this “all about me world” of “self imposed indulgent entitlement”…how do we get there?

You are the clear doer of You commandment…love your neighbor as yourself. How do we imitate this in a world that sees kindness as a weakness or views gift giving as a threat to position, prestige or a tool to get whatever they can get out of someone? Yet I know that I am only responsible for my actions in response to their actions.

This doesn’t imply a “door mat” mentality. Yes, love them in spite for their actions or intent. Yet they may view this as being un-loving because they do not understand true love. But Lord my prayer is that You open their eyes to see true love (the action word), understanding, and peace. For You Lord, have blessed me with this gift and I shall stand fast unmovable under Your umbrella of loving You and my neighbor.