All That Glitters

Does anyone but me see something horribly wrong with this picture?

Anyone who knows me knows I love me some glitter, lots of sparkle, and a truckload of plain ol’ gaudy! Especially this time of year. There’s glitter stuff everywhere! Even my wheelchair and rolling walker have glitter stuck to their wheels. By accident of course. Totally unintentional.

As I tried to finish my second Christmas ornament, I was – this close to using my plumbing language! The metallic silver thread of my first ornament was a little trialsome, but absolutely nothing like the gold strands on the second one! Even when I was able to get a strand free from the other two twisted threads, the single line continued to wind around itself and tangle. There must be a technique I am missing.

As you look at the left side of the ornament, you see I used a single thread. The right side was done after lunch, and I was that far along before I noticed the difference – I was using a double strand. Mercy! All that work for naught! I was so sick of the ornery metallic thread, I decided there was no way I was going to fix the first side or continue on with the doubled thread.

So…

With my handy-dandy little sewing ripper, those rascals were cut and plucked with wild abandon. Or should I say aggravation?

I found some gold colored regular embroidery thread  and redid the wings much faster than I had done the first attempt. I gave in at the last and lined them with the gold metallic thread. Not as sparkly as I like, but all’s good. I kept my sanity.

The ornament is finished now except for the backing.

As I was doing my ‘examen’ which is the spiritual evaluation of the day, I wondered what could be this day’s takeaway.

I’ve had my patience stretched. And I overcame…mostly. (I really didn’t say any bad words, and I was too preoccupied trying to repair it to even think them! Yay, me!)

Next is a list of things to be grateful for. I am thankful for my little sunlit nest I have set up in the backroom, eyes to see the small stitches, and hands that work. I love listening to my gospel play lists by the hour. Perhaps that’s one reason my stitchery didn’t end up in the garbage can! God’s peace, for sure!

Being in my present situation, I am thankful for the time I have.

I have time to think.

Which isn’t always a good thing! I keep thinking about what my next projects will entail. I think I better finish my present projects and think about how in the world I am going to clean up my messes from these last projects.

And I have time to pray.

I pray for so many, most who have no idea that I do. Knowing how my mama always prayed for me, I want to uphold her standard of prayer for the next generation.

And there is time to wonder. Some good, some bad.

I start to wonder if I am wasting my time. Then I think that perhaps this slow pace isn’t a waste. God hears my prayers. God sees my heart as I make things I hope will bless others.

I wonder why the God who made the universe takes time to guide my days. But then, I know the answer. He’s the marvelous God who loves me.

NLT Psalm 36:7 says, ‘How precious is Your unfailing love, O God!’

And that’s all I really need to think about.

Blessings

Kara Beth