SLOW DOWN -- IT'S CHRISTMAS

To my step-mom’s disdain, I have never been much of a sewer. I am speaking of the needle kind. For example: knitting, crocheting, embroidering or sewing machine work in general. I love seeing the finished product from someone else’s hands. I admire the intricacies of the work. I admire well done calligraphy and am impressed when I see artistic handwriting. Inspired paintings on canvas take my breath away and even invite me to step inside by my imagination and become part of the creation. I was contemplating the above facts this morning when the Lord spoke to me by his Spirit, "Those kinds of expressions take time". As simple as that, he spoke. As always, my reasoning with the Lord in the realm of my heart and mind, began to produce one of the gifts He has given me, vis-à-vis: inspired writings. We all have been given gifts in the way of talents and abilities. I remember crocheting lace for a set of pillow cases when I was a young girl. I had received instruction from “mom” and was hoping to please. The final result was that as the ends of the lace met for the final stitching, there was about a half to three quarters difference in the width. My handwriting is the same. It may begin one size and by the end of the writing it is another. Those are not my areas of expertise. This does not mean I will never again attempt something outside my realm. What the Lord spoke to me was that part of the reason for my imperfection and even sometimes failed results is because I do not take the time necessary for the perfection. Being in a hurry for the final results will never produce the desired intentions. My desire would be for the viewer to behold the beauty and be inspired by what they see. With my writings, I desire lives be affected in a  positive way and be blessed, comforted, quickened in their mind and even challenged toward change. Mostly, I want the reader to be drawn closer to our Father God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Relationships are that way. If we desire to create God-designed relationships, time must be invested. “Wait on the Lord…” Most of us have heard that verse from the Bible. “For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. Jesus gave himself for us and he gives himself every day by his Spirit. We don’t know him and his promises the way we could if we do not take the time to get  to know him more and more on a daily basis. Husbands and wives, friends, parents and children, these are all relationships that take time to build, time to maintain and grow. We can rush through life and settle for the imperfect and uninspiring in the work of our hands and relationships or we can slow down and spend the time and attention to create a finished result that will deepen not only our journey but draw others to that place of desiring to walk into the canvas of our lives and “follow us as we follow Christ.” MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!