I have just finished a baby afghan for a friend whose child was born a couple of weeks ago. I have been working on it quite awhile- through the summer not much was done-it’s hard to work with yarn, even baby yarn, when the temperatures and the humidity are both in the 90’s. But now that it is done, I am pleased to send something of myself to this new life in the world.
You see, I crochet for a variety of reasons- I crochet because it gives my hands something to do while I am in a meeting, listening to a speaker, or watching television. I crochet because it is a creative outlet of a sort and even if I only do it for a few minutes, I can see progress. So much of life, you work or communicate or relate and still aren’t sure if progress has been made. This fills my need for productivity!
It is also a spiritual exercise. When I decide to make an afghan for someone, I immediately begin praying for that person. I think of them as I select the yarn and the pattern. Then as the rows grow and grow, I continue to pray- for their wellbeing, that the afghan might be a sign of the warmth of God’s love around them. Crocheting also allows me time to reflect and meditate. I can sit and do it in total silence and find a centering place of peace and calm. In this world of cell phones and instant messages, of urgency and impatience, that place is a welcome one.
I find that I cannot go for long without a project. For it does give direction to a part of my life, it focuses my prayer life as well as my contemplation. It also keeps me focused on another, on giving them something of warmth and beauty, something that requires a gift of my life and self.
What might be something that you do, that really is a form of spiritual practice? Where in your life is your center of peace and calm? What gets you outside of yourself in a way that brings you joy? I’d love to hear from you!
Walking with you,
Pastor Kathy