Keep On Crocheting

     Since this winter is apparently the worst ever (even down South), I had to go rummaging through my "warm scarves" so I would not freeze to death. Yes, this implies that I have scarves that are just cute and not really functional at all. Doesn't everyone?

     Anyway, as I clawed through my scarf bin, I came across this old, kind of haggard scarf. It is maroon and very uneven and curves where it really should not be curving. In other words, I made it. However, despite its major imperfections and its obvious lack of good craftsmanship, it is one of the dearest items I own.

     I made it in a time of great personal angst and trouble, when I felt pretty hopeless and depressed. We've all been there, I know. Out of all that trouble, I decided to learn to crochet. I was super bad at it, but I never quit. I kept going even when it looked like a three year old had done it. It wasn't really about the scarf or about learning a new thing, it was about letting all of the bad things fuel me to do something new that made me happy. I cried while making the scarf. I prayed. I laughed. It was amazing how something so seemingly insignificant could make such a big difference in my life.

     When I was finished, I beamed with pride. I had never been so proud of something as I was of that weird-looking scarf. I guess I identified with it. It was imperfect and simple, but I loved it because it was mine and I had put my heart into it. I guess it finally had hit me that maybe that was how God felt about me. I never forgot how that felt. And every time I wear it, I still get that goofy smile on my face as I remember that precious, life-saving reminder.

     Hard times can kick us in the butt, but sometimes something beautiful can come from them. Maybe, it's only beautiful to you, but it can be beautiful. God still sends his reminders and encouragements and we keep on "crocheting" if you will. 

Do you have an experience like this? I'd love to hear. It's always encouraging to know :)

Take good care, everyone,

~B~

I need new glasses.

     Recently, I took my youth group girls on a retreat in Alabama. The drive up was fun (and crazy, of course) but on the way back home, we had to drive on the outskirts of a tropical storm! Not only was this my first out of state trip that I was in charge of, but I had to partially drive in the rain, which is not too high on my list of favorite things to do. The later it got, and the heavier the rain got, it was harder for me to see. I have glasses, well, I HAD glasses until I lost them, haha. The only pair of glasses I had were reading glasses and everything is very blurry with those. I had to squint and strain, but by the grace of G-D I made it home safely!

     G-D told me something about that situation. That is how we live our lives with the L-RD most times. We do our best to see clearly in this world, but it is only with His grace that we make it through. In 1 Corinthians 13:12 it says that for now we "see through a glass, darkly," which means, not everything is clear to us, spiritually. G-D takes us along stormy journeys sometimes and the only way we can make it with our "dark glasses" is to trust that G-D will be our eyes and help get us through the storm. I have situations in my life right NOW that I really can't see clearly, and to be honest, it sometimes makes me want to just throw in the towel and give up. I know we all have those moments. But, G-D always gives us just enough to get to the next step, even if it's hard.

Even though I'm waiting for some new glasses in actual life (haha) I am looking forward to the day when I see clearly...when I see His face and know Him like I've been wanting to for so long.

Be encouraged and keep looking up!

~Brooke~