Unfinished Projects

I just finished a knitting project. As is always the case, I am eager to get started on something else. Rather than run to the knitting store to buy wool and a pattern, I decided to try to learn something new. Years ago I wanted to learn to do counted cross stitch. Never one to do things by half measure, I bought several beautiful kits. I am also one who tends to get a bit ahead of herself. When I looked at the complexity of the patterns, I got a bit discouraged and thought I would wait on the cross stitching for a little while.

Since my Mom is living nearby now, it seemed like a good time to dig them out and have her teach me how to get started. I found the box where I had packed away all my crafty things and was overwhelmed by what I found. To my utter shame, there were all sorts of half finished projects forlornly staring up at me. I had absolutely forgotten I even had some of them.

There was the little embroidered quilt. I got tired of it when I got to all the out-lining and set it aside for "a while."


This is the little granny square afghan I started crocheting more years ago than I care to remember.


There are quite a few squares waiting to be sewn together.


I don't even remember which baby this little embroidered picture was intended for. It only needs the name and date (the part I always find difficult).


Here are all the counted cross stitch kits.



I thought I would like to learn to do needle point and bought this beautiful pillow - not even started.



These are two crewel projects that I bought when my grown sons were little. I think they were just more than I cared to tackle after having done lots and lots of smaller crewel pictures.


These are two of the smaller crewel pictures (and yet another cross stitch one) I have yet to do.


There you have it - confessions of a world class procrastinator. As I think and pray about what to do with getting my blogging in some sort of proper perspective, I must consider all of this. They are, after all, things I have always loved doing (along with my writing). Time to get busy.

Blessings,
Linda

Loving Like Jesus

She hadn't driven in a long time, but when his health began to fail she steeled herself and slowly made her way back to the busy streets - not wanting to depend on others to do the driving. The little car made its way to appointment after appointment. Then it traveled the short distance to the hospital. Only heavy rain or the setting sun (her eyes are sensitive to the light) saw one of us behind the wheel.

She sat for hours in his hospital room, spending the night when he just couldn't bear to have her leave. Her's was the only voice he would listen to when he wanted to simply go home and leave tests and needles and pain behind. When she wasn't with him, she held him in her prayers.

When dialysis became a part of their lives, she encouraged, watched his diet, monitored his medications and prayed some more. Home remained as it always had been, warm, welcoming and filled with a sweet spirit.

He called one day. "I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of your Mother." The voice was weak from hours spent in dialysis, but it was filled with love. "Yes Dad. She is amazing. She loves you very much." "I love her too." he whispered.

"...walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
Ephesians 5:2

To read more about loving like Jesus go here.



Blessings,
Linda

His Love Letter

I am here today - at Laced With Grace - letting Him do the writing this time.

Blessings,
Linda

A little P.S. - Thank you so much for all of your thoughtful, caring and wise comments on my last post. You are all so special to me. I'm giving it much thought and prayer will write about it soon. I so want to get it right this time.

A Little Advice Please?

I apologize to those of you who will feel as though you have read this post several times already. The truth is I have written it several times, which speaks volumes about my tendency to take one step forward and two steps back.

My word for this year is "new." One of the things that definitely needed to be changed in a big way was the time I spend blogging. In the spirit of "newness" I wrote about my intention to set boundaries. I managed for a while to keep my fidgety self contained within those perimeters, but little by little I began to stick my toes over the line. Before I knew it I was not only right back where I started but I was going way overboard.

Rather than cutting back, I added things. Facebook, Twitter, friends, fans - I was clicking away and spreading myself very thin. Instead of reading and commenting less, I added to my bloglines and couldn't seem to stop trying to visit everyone - reading and leaving comments.

I confess that I love all of it - the writing, the sharing, the posts, keeping up with family and friends. But it has grown too big - yet again.

I have been trying to come up with a plan that will fit blogging into its proper place in my life. In thinking about it, I found myself wondering how others manage. Perhaps you wouldn't mind sharing with me how much time you spend blogging and how you fit it into your schedule. Could we just talk about it a little? I'd like that.

Blessings,
Linda

"Because of Jesus" (Connie Witter)

I want to share a few nuggets from the gold mine of this new Bible Study in the hope that it will bless you as it had me (and with the purpose of sealing them in my heart:

- "The moment you put your trust in Jesus, He exchanged identities with you. He became your sin and He gave you His righteousness as a gift of His grace."

- "God wants you to exchange trying to be virtuous, with trusting in Jesus and believing that you are a virtuous woman because of Him."

- "...if you base your self-worth and self-esteem on your relationship with God and what He thinks and feels about you, your life will be filled with joy and peace. Regardless of how well you perform, God's love for you and the value He places on your life will never change. When you are secure in His love and acceptance, you don't have to worry about pleasing others and living up to their expectations because that need is met through your relationship with God. You are His precious daughter, and He thinks you're wonderful."

"The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17

Powerful, life-changing truths. I don't know about you, but I am weary of trying in my own strength. Weary of the discouragement and the lies the enemy whispers into my ear. I am ready to trust Jesus to produce good fruit in my life. I want to get down into my heart the truth that I am already that virtuous women because of what He did for me in His death on the cross.

Blessings,
Linda

Sunlight

During the long season of drought, I promised myself that I would never, ever complain about rain again, and I meant it. I have kept that promise, but I will admit that a string of dark, dreary days can make me feel a little down.

We had had a particularly gloomy day - slate gray sky, cold wind, and rain. It was so dark we needed the lights on in the middle of the day. It was hard not to long for the sun to shine.

During the night the wind picked up, blowing away the clouds and moisture leaving blue skies and sunshine in their place. I was going about the usual morning routine, walking from the counter to the little table my husband had made many years ago with napkins and silverware when I was brought up short.

The smell of brewing coffee filled the air, the heater hummed making the kitchen warm and cozy, and a shaft of sunlight fell across the table. It was as though that gentle stream of light went straight to my heart warming it with the goodness of a Father who loves us so well.

The storms will come, but He is there. He promises to walk with us and to bring us through to greater blessing. There is always grace in the storm and sunlight on the other side.

Please visit Chatting at the Sky for more glimpses of the Father's touch.


Blessings,
Linda
Linda

Multitude Monday

"The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust Him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."
Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

- for the gentle heart that opens this quiet place where we can come and share what the Lord has done in and for us

- for cold, raw days with skies like slate because...

- they open my eyes to the joy of a shaft of sunlight across the kitchen table, my nose to the scent of coffee brewing, and my heart to the warmth and comfort of my home

- a promotion for my son

- answered prayer - it takes me by surprise - not because He isn't able, but rather because I am so undeserving of such love

- a brother slowly making his way back to faith

- a note in the mailbox from a darling granddaughter

- the way worship music cuts across every line and draws us closer to one another and to Jesus

- a new Bible Study - Proverbs 31 in the Light of Jesus - "Because of Jesus" by Connie Witter
"Realize you're already a virtuous woman in Christ"
As always - it is exactly what I need

- the unmatched creativity of the Father




- celebrating my Dad's 90th birthday












For these things and so much more, thank You Father. You fill my life with the joy and peace that can only come from knowing You.

Please visit Ann's and the others who are sharing their thanks.

Blessings,
Linda