Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Words of Life - block 2...



Today I'm sharing block two of our 'Words of Life' table runner project - FAMILY.

You know, I think long and hard about some of the words I share in my patterns, and 'family' is one of those words that can bring me undone and lift me up all at the same time.
Not everyone has a close family unit; not all of us maintain close family ties for one reason or another; and some dear souls do not even live in a family environment. 

So that beautiful word - family - can trigger both joy and sorrow, hope and regret, hurt and healing, security and abandonment, loss and life to varying degrees in most lives, for somewhere along the way most people have experienced many of those emotions.

Even as I have personally experienced sorrow, regret, loss, hurt and abandonment, I've also known the depths of joy, hope, healing, life and security. For life within a family is not the same year by year, but a series of seasons which take us along varied paths with occasional unexpected turns.




The flip side to many of those emotions I mentioned is not being the receiver of them, but being the one who hurts another, whether that be intentional or not. I have been the person who hurts, as well as the one who receives hurt. In a day and age where people text, comment or message 'instantly' we're quickly becoming people who speak before we think and too often read the wrong intent in responses from others. 
Even within families.

Not every rift will be healed, not every hurt will be forgiven, but when we humble ourselves to admit our fault and to ask forgiveness, then a burden is lifted from our own hearts - even when the other person will not accept it. 




Now, there's another kind of family you may not have considered...

As the years roll by, and here I am in my sixtieth year, I've become more aware than ever that family doesn't have to mean blood-related. The Lord has blessed me with a handful of friends whom I love dearly and who love me - and there's no bloodline in our friendship, just mutual respect, encouragement, honesty (the kind of honesty where you share your failings, warts and all, as well as your joys) and steadfastness between us. They have become part of my family and I am blessed by that.




And just as friends can be as family, family can be as friends.

My husband and our daughter Blossom are my very best friends, they are also my brother and sister in Christ, my confidantes, my prayer partners, and my cheering squad through the ups and downs of life - and they will assure you that I am all that to them as well. We are family and we hold each other up; we also hold each other accountable, forgive, and assist one another whenever there is a need.

FAMILY can come into our lives as strangers or blood relations, but there's one family I belong to that exceeds all others.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
1 John 3:1-2

The family of God.

May you find a great blessing as you stitch this block, letting go of hurts and misunderstandings of the past, and looking to Jesus as the perfect example of family, friendship, forgiveness and humility.



I'll be back on Friday with block three. If you missed block one it's here in Monday's post. 

bless you heaps,


16 comments:

Nanna Chel said...

How lovely to read your post, Jenny. Your needlework is just beautiful as always. I love the fabrics you have chosen as they are so pretty. Have a blessed week.

Joanne said...

Hi Jenny,

It's Wednesday! That's a fast stitchery ! :)
Thanks! Family..it is what you make it :)
hugs,
Joanne

Pink Rose said...

Hi Jenny lovely post my friend xx

Little Quiltsong said...

Thank you for the next Word pattern. I've finished the first, but need to take better pictures of it. Love that you got me back into embroidery - I've really become rusty at it :)! Like your post said - Family can bring joy or hurt - but it is so special when we belong in God's Family!

Tammy said...

Thank you for the family Word block. Your post is spot on about family...We don't have to be blood related to be family. We can become family....Too often the real ones can disappoint and break our hearts And so many family are divided and will never be the same ever again...This breaks my heart so... I choose you to be my family and one of my sisters of stitchery and Christ. What a big family we belong too. Love and prayers sweet friend.

Allie said...

I remember, when I got married, this became my verse - (Psalms 68:6) "God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:" And it still is, as lonely as I can get these days now that my family is grown. He has shown me how the body of Christ is connected together, how even that one person in solitary confinement for the gospel of Christ in a distant land is my brother. Just imagine - the family reunion at the marriage feast of the Lamb!!!!! Dear Jenny-girl, thank you for this word.

Lin said...

Beautiful post Jenny. xx

Lin said...

Thank you. xx

Robin in New Jersey said...

This is beautiful,Jenny. You have weathered the storms with grace and have been such an encouragement to us.
My youngest daughter just moved to Alaska to be with her fiance who is in the Air Force. This will be our first Thanksgiving/Christmas without her here. They are planning to elope soon. I won't be able to be at her wedding. I miss her terribly. So, as I am reading this and looking at these beautiful pictures, I have decided to make this for her and Angel for a wedding gift. Sending cyber hugs to you, my dear sister in Christ.

Dots said...

Powerful, raw, truth in this message today about family. And so well expressed. I am very touched by what you have written. Grace to you Jenny, and healing to your heart through the mercy and love of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for the stitchery. Lovely!

Susan said...

There's a lot to ponder about my own family as this word is stitched. I am always grateful for those I consider family, though we weren't born that way. Thanks, Jenny, as always, for your creativity and your wise counsel.

Águeda said...

You are always genereous with us. Your behaviour is like a good relative. You have a big e-family and you take care of us. Thank you very much . My best for you.

Gramma Weber said...

Thank you for giving me projects that I can make without spending money. My husband is 81 with lots of medical bills that prevent me from making quilts. Your testimony touches my heart. Blessings from Caroline in California, USA.

KingsailK said...

Amen to that dear Jenny so true.As for me and my house we will serve The Lord

miriel dorsey said...

Hello Jenny, question? Do you sell the fabric for the block of the month. Love, love your
beautiful work. GOD HAS RICHLY BLESSED YOU WITH THIS GIFT.

BLESSINGS

MIRIEL

Jenny of Elefantz said...

No, I am only using scraps.