The unthinkable thing has happened...both in Boston and in TX and more close to home, right here in MI.
For those of you that know me, you know that my faith in God is at the very foundation of who I am. It's what makes all the rest matter to me. It's what I try to live by. It's what gets me through stuff. Hard stuff. Stuff like someone doing something they never imagined they could do (running THE marathon) and being struck down by hate in the process. Stuff like a guy going to work to take care of his family and never coming home again. Stuff like a little boy standing along side the biggest race in the country to watch something many runners dream about doing, only to leave his family behind. And just today changed my former SIL's life as she was hit by a drunk driver while she had stopped to help a co-worker stranded on the side of the road.
I've been muddling around all day. Can't seem to focus on much for very long and I find myself just trying to keep busy.
For me one of the most comforting gifts God gave me was my ability to make quilts. To immerse myself in color and fabric and digging deep within myself to tap my creativity has been my solace for so many years.
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| Alternatives For Girls Shelter Quilts - Myself along with three friends spearheaded the project to make 35 quilts for a girls shelter in Detroit. We had a lot of help and this shows the result of 5 months of work from many hands! Left to right: Janet Rose, me, Karen Lieberman and Cathy McIntee. |
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| Quilt of Valor for Alex Knapp |
Quilting has been the thing that I can channel my energy into when I feel like I'm coming apart at the seams.
It is time alone with just me, the machine, the fabric and my conversations with God.
May quilting be for you what it has been for me.....something to keep you busy during the hard stuff and in the process help you to bless others when you are the one coming apart at the seams.
Pray for each other and our nation. ~ Linda
1 Peter 4:10-11 God has given gifts to each of you...
everyone needs an outlet, & quilting is Gods gift to us to share with others. I know your SIL will LOVE the quilt you are making for her. My quilting is also my time with God if to do nothing but to say thank you for loving me.
ReplyDeleteEna Hitt
Oh Ena I feel the same way. She has a long road ahead but she also has God on her side. hugs my friend
DeleteOh Linda, I'll pray with you for your sister. God is as important to me and my life as He clearly is to yours. I'll also pray for your work on the quilt and for your comfort as you face this storm of difficulties.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. It is for my Sister in-law actually. Thanks for caring and for praying. hugs!
DeleteHope and pray that she fully recovers and the Drunk driver is put away for a long time. Good thoughts for you as you create a beautiful quilt for your beloved sister.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary for your kind words. <3
DeleteI, too, am a belever, saved by grace. I appreciate this blog so much. My sewing is my oytlwt and I soend a lot of time in prayer in my sewing room. I listen to praise and worship while in that room, and God has blessed me with windows to look out to see His creation. I'll be praying for your SIL's recovery.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Quilting is what this blog is about but I was so struck by the events of this week and how they were so intertwined with my faith and quilting that I had to share....knowing full well that some might be offended or feel it is not the place. Thanks for your kind words and keep those prayers going.
DeleteI will continue to pray. Please don't ever apologize about your faith. God says if we deny Him, he will deny us. I understand that this blog is about quilting, but you are the only Christ people may see. Preach on! I, too, write a blog. I am not a "published" quilter, although I have designed a couple of quilt patterns and sold them in stores. I just share what's on my heart and love to share what I'm working on. If you are interested, my lastest blog is: http://doingtheblogthingy.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/bonus-block-5/
DeleteI am in no way trying to "advertise" my blog. Just thought you may want to see my quilting adventures!
Thanks Debbie...I agree. I will check it out, thanks for sharing.
DeleteI understand what you are saying about how quilting can help during the hard times. When my dear friend sat in my family room and told me that she was dying of cancer and had four months to live, all I could think of (besides wishing it wasn't true) was that I had to make her a quilt. A few days later I won a $100 gift certificate to a local quilt shop (in a Shop Hop) and I was able to use that prize money to buy all the fabric I needed to make her quilt. I was then was prompted to let others who knew her sign the quilt, and I turned it into a signature quilt. So many of her friends signed not only their names, but also their sweet thoughts & feelings about her, and even jotted down scriptures on it. She wrapped herself up in all the loving names of her friends each time she cuddled with that quilt. The quilt is now with her sweet daughter, who is like a daughter to me. I tell you this because making that quilt was the only way I could deal with what was happening to my dear friend. I miss her terribly, but I know that quilt gave her joy for awhile. I will pray for your sister in law, and I truly hope she recovers completely.
ReplyDeleteOh Cindi that is a heartfelt story and I am so thankful you shared it with all of us. So amazing. I am sorry for the loss of your dear friend, but what a blessing to her that quilt surely was. I often find when I do things for others I am the one receiving the blessing. Thanks for being that kind of person - the world needs more of people like you. Thanks for the prayers too - Loretta sure can use them. Be blessed.
DeleteHi Linda, what a wonderful post. So sorry to hear about your former SIL, this is horrible. I saw the post on fb and thought I should look at your blog and see if there was more information. Praying for all!! Yes, God has blessed you with an amazing gift of wanting to serve and comfort.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy. Yes it is beyond horrible. We just said goodbye to her dad a few weeks ago so this is really hard on the family. Thanks for your kind words and prayers - keep em coming. Hugs...call me when you get back - we are doing lunch!!!
DeleteMy dear Linda, I feel for you. And my prayers will be that your SIL will recover as soon as possible and she will be strong to through this situation. Take care. Quilty hugs from me far across the ocean. Nonie
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Nonie. Hugs back :-)
DeleteLinda ~ Heartfelt prayers for your SIL and for you. Thank you for sharing. {{{Hugs}}}
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Maureen, keep the prayers coming. She had a long way to go. Hugs to you too!
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