Changing...

 Life as we age - whether that be from teens to marriage and motherhood, from raising a young family to waving them goodbye as they move on in a life of their own making, or from middle age to the years of really slowing because your body needs the blessings of more rest than we were previously used to - is always changing, like the seasons.

(my husband and our Molly-dog on a quiet early morning walk along the shoreline recently)

Hubby and I feel this with each passing year, and especially over the last twelve months. We are learning new lessons about our abilities in this stage of life, and becoming more aware of what our bodies need, and what they don't. We consider what can be done comfortably, but then we must count the cost of recovery if we choose to pursue a bigger task. 

(the last of our sweet potato harvest)

Decisions need to be made that will allow us to enjoy our days, something we struggle with during the very long tropical summers here. Heat exhaustion takes a toll year after year trying to keep the gardens going, and then in the winter (very mild and tepid days and nights) when most of the world settles in to rest and enjoy warming soups and hot chocolate, there is no rest for us. That's the time of year when its cool enough to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini...and many other vegetables. In winter we grow summer food. And still no rest. It's twelve continuous months of planting, tending, growing, weeding, clearing, soil building and preserving. 

(my gorgeous $3 lined basket from the op shop)

We are so tired. So very tired. 

Both of us have some ongoing health issues with our shared auto-immune disease, issues which become a bit more of a challenge as we age, so we have made the decision not to grow anything but herbs this year, alongside our young fruit trees. We need, we want, to look after our health, to take time to rest and be still in the short winter months. We must use the common-sense and wisdom which God has graciously given us, so that we may say near the end, as Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

(lovely colours for a new crochet rug)

My interests are changing too, in craft, home decor, reading, meals, music - even in what I am ready to pack up and give away as I declutter (things I imagined holding on to for always). It was lovely this past weekend to pull out the yarn basket and choose colours for a new lap rug, something I can use as I rest this coming winter. Every rug I have crocheted in the past was gifted to a grandchild, but this one is for me. 

(such a pretty piece of Liberty for a slow stitching project)

And after having a small bag of 9 tiny pieces of Liberty fabric on my shelf for about nine years, unused because I did not like them, I am finding a wonderful slow stitching project bringing me such joy as I discover they are prints which now I truly like. 

Not rushing, not pushing to achieve a long list of accomplishments each day, not assessing my personal value by how much I can do...all of these changes have brought me a deep peace within my soul. And time. Time to talk more with God, time to enjoy gentle music, time to read old classics, time to listen, time to pray, time to see what is right before me, time to appreciate the very gift of living. 

(small slow stitches, imperfect and quietly satisfying)

In a world where 'rush rush rush' is almost a constant background beat which brings anxiety to increasingly hurried lives, I am relishing the quiet of my own thoughts, and the stillness which so beautifully accompanies it. 

I love the softness of candles after dark, something I discovered during and after the loss of power from last month's cyclone. Reading a few pages from a gentle book before bed is soothing, as is a warm mug of herbal tea instead of the coffee we no longer drink. We sold the coffee machine which ground the beans and brewed a strong rich brew or made cappuccinos, and used the money to buy groceries to increase our preparedness pantry. 

I have always sung that little hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, in my sewing room...for some reason, it always came to mind when I was in there tidying up, sewing, or designing. One line says "...and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of Your glory and grace." I reflected on this today and realised that as I sang it those hundreds of times, that it was prayer...and God is answering it.

More and more, the things of this world are growing dimmer, and they are becoming less important as I go about my day to day ordinary life. I am seeking the eternal things of God, and that's probably why I am looking with changed eyes at all I have, and feeling the need to release 'things', just keeping what we need, what we can use, what we enjoy, what we love, and what brings life to our home. 

Yes, I am changing...and it's good. 

Have you found yourself making changes or adjustments in your own season of life? 

Dear Lord, I pray for every dear woman reading this today, that You would direct her away from unnecessary pursuits or desires or burdens, and rest her eyes and ears and thoughts on what You want for her in this very season of life she finds herself travelling along. May she know Your presence, experience Your loving hand guiding her each day, and be filled with joy in the very ordinary and beautiful moments of her life. Cover her with your grace, Father, and soften the pain of grief and loss. Put a new song in her heart, and surround her with songs of deliverance for Your Name's sake. May she rest in the knowledge that Your Word is her armour, and through Your Holy Spirit, may the Scriptures come alive as never before when she opens her Bible. Provide for every precious woman who has need, Lord, and lead her in the way everlasting...in the wonderful name of Jesus, Amen.

Love and hugs

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Slow stitching...and something on my heart.

A dear reader emailed me the other day and said, "you stitch so fast".

It was the first time it occurred to me that this is what many of you believe about me.

Truth time.

I don't stitch quickly. 

I stitch with a slow, and thoughtful rhythm...no rush, just enjoying the process and delighting in how a drawing can become something so lovely with the addition of simple and inexpensive coloured cotton threads. In my sketchbook it holds promise. On my lap, with a needle in hand, it takes on a life of its own and transforms into sweetness.

I don't like to rush that process.

Many emails come through to me, asking "How do you keep your stitches so neat and small?"

I stitch slowly. I let it matter. 

Yes, I do release a lot of new designs each month - for my e-zine, and for Jesus' glory.

That's why it 'seems' I stitch quickly. 

The truth is that my days are rather full. I begin with my dawn quiet hour with the Lord, and then after my housework chores and breakfast, I work. 

You see, my stitching and designing are my occupation.

Migraines have been a constant companion of mine since I was thirteen. 

I dare say there is not a treatment I have not pursued; but to no avail - they continue to cloud my days.

Because of this, and due to much prayer, the Lord opened a door for me to start stitching, and within a few years, to design - all from home.

So, each day, I work at my designing and stitching - which culminates in pattern writing, and magazine writing - and if my migraines take hold I can slip away and rest.

My work takes time. About 50 hours every week, in fact.

So you see, behind the blog, I work to provide an income through design and stitching.

It blesses my family, and I praise God my Father who made it possible for me to work around my migraines.

The hardest part about my work is the lack of time for making gifts. 

I don't have many spare hours, and to be honest, I like to spend much of that time doing other things that have nothing to do with sewing - like studying the Bible; health education; rides on Mr E's motorbike; cooking.

But small gifts, made with love, do bring me joy...

One lesson I learned these last couple of years resulted in me no long making many gifts for people outside of my family. 

When I was involved with swaps, it seemed I was always making items for people I'd never met, and precious time was taken away from what should have been time spent making for my own family.

That broke my heart.

I realised that I had chosen an email acquaintance, and sometimes a perfect stranger, over one of my loved ones. So I stepped away from swaps, and even changed the manner in which I gave gifts to friends.

I reminded myself that it is okay to purchase a small pre-made gift for friends instead of making one, and I prayed they understood that.

There are a lot of funny photos and posters that circulate around the internet and social media saying things that encourage us to buy as much fabric as we can, and to wear those purchases as a badge of honour. I've even shared a few myself.

When I sat down recently and pondered how I'd allowed my craft to steer me away from what really matters, I saw that it wasn't just in time spent making gifts for swaps or acquaintances. It was also in purchasing things I'd probably never have time to use, and spending money that could have helped reduce a debt or changed the life of someone in need.

Slowing down as I stitch gives me time to think about the 'whys' of what I do, and if I let them, those quiet ponderings change my outlook for the better by clearing away perceived expectations of what I thought was 'good', and letting me look through to that which is better. 

Not sure why I've shared all this today, but maybe you are like I was, and you need someone to give you permission to stop the rush, reduce the endless making, or hold back from constant purchases?

My friends, take time and really think about what is important in your life.

Slow down.

'Breathe', as my darling husband would suggest.

Take a weight off your shoulders, and only do what you can with what you have, and most importantly, with JOY in your heart and not overwhelming expectations.

In fact, I want to step out here and say that if you are one of my Elefantz Home e-zine subscribers and you haven't known how to unsubscribe, but you want to, (some of you tell me you would feel guilty if you did - please do not feel that way), then you can go HERE and do it. It's very easy, and I will never be offended.

In fact, I hope you find the courage to cut out of your life all the unnecessary things that weigh you down, and that you find true peace flooding your hearts as you make those changes.

I pray for all of you,

jenny