As an avid "crafty" person, I love starting a new project. I love getting an idea for something I want to create, then looking around for inspiration in magazines, books and even on internet. Next I gather materials (hopefully from my current "stash") and plot how to take my raw materials and transform them into something that resembles the image in my imagination.
I often find that the start of a project is exciting and its completion is very satisfying ; but oh how easy it is to get bogged down in the middle!
It is the middle of the project where creativity often takes a back seat to the demands of life; my "to do" list crowds out the place in my brain where inspiration used to be. Sadly, it is so easy to lay aside the project that brings me joy through creating so that I can deal with more pressing matters at hand.
There is a room in my home where these half-baked projects live; they wait patiently for my return, never complaining about my neglect of them. Nor do they voice their offense when I begin a new project in a flourish of excitement, leaving them cast aside and unfinished. As the newer projects join the older, all of them in various stages of incompleteness, I wonder if they ever talk about me behind my back.
When I know I don't have the time to work on these projects but my soul feels the ache of wanting to work on something, I go to this room. It's tiny, carved out of what might have once been part of the garage by the previous homeowner. It's about the size of a large walk-in closet. In here are my machines, books, patterns and other "raw"matreials. I have projects draped over hangers with their pattern pieces pinned to them, other items together in zippered plastic bags and baskets. For all of its mess, I love this room. It invites me in to come and be revived; it stirs my creativity even when I don't have time to actually pursue.
Along one wall is a 2x4 board nailed up horizontally on which I have hung a number of pegs. Each peg holds an idea of some kind. A number of commercial pattern envelopes for cute skirts that swirl gracefully and dresses in styles that speak of graceful beauty over overt sex appeal. Several pages in plastic sleeves hang there too; things printed off the internet for crocheted afghans and knitted scarves, and more than one pattern for a colorful, plaid quilt. All of these ideas hang there so I won't forget about them. Some have been hanging for a few years now.
Sometimes I feel like I am a project hanging up on God's inspiration wall. He knows I'm there; He plans to get around to finishing His work on me so that I can be a completed project and get on with my life. But for whatever reason He just hasn't been by to work on me in a while. So, here I hang.
For many years now I have been caught up in living the life of being a single mom. My days full of work outside the home, cooking, laundry, discipline, church, carpool, and ball games. Together, the boys and I have known highs and lows, good times and bad. They have taught me so much; they have been God's shaping tools in my life.
How is it that this leg of their journey with me is nearly complete? Where have all the years gone? What on earth am I going to do with myself after they leave? What will fill my days, occupy my time and give my life shape and meaning?
Gently God reminds me that He has been here all along. I have not been hanging up on His heavenly project board at all - He doesn't have one, He doesn't need it. Those who are called by His name are engraved on His hand. This season of my life may be catching me by surprise, but not Him.
He has been shaping me to move into the next phase of our story all of these years. Together we are embarking on a new project. Actually it began taking shape several years ago. I thought it got bogged down in the middle, but not so; it was taking shape and form in His time, not mine.
So here we are - public day one of Called to Life Ministries; a journey into public speaking and writing so others can hopefully hear and receive the message that Jesus Christ is the Source of Life.
Our lives were meant to have joy and meaning, regardless of our present circumstances. "Come to Me" says the Lord. He is the Life we crave and the Answer in every situtaion.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
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