Day 212 The Exchange

 

7/31/2025

"For we are God's handiwork, created in

Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared

in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10  

 

Tonight is my group meeting, and as usual, I wonder if I am making a difference or not. If it's worth the effort, then I have to tell myself that the "effort" is really not so bad. I tend to be hard on myself. But, before the class begins I have responded to the same questions on the community page for the church, so review is daily for four days. It works out well that way. I've been trying to get my group members interested in participating in the discipleship community for some time, as I find it helpful to hear and share opinions. Even the prayer page is an experience, and a place to actually connect. New believers are encouraging other new believers, while the more seasoned Christians are not as vocal, or not involved at all. Whatever is happening, I find it exciting to see the transparency and support that's been available for each other. I find that family goes beyond blood relations.

I've been part of this group since September 2020, and and although the group is constantly changing, I have one friend who's been with me since the beginning. In fact, she was the very first one. That says something, I imagine. People come and go, as schedules change, but I find that change can be good, especially if the person has learned to fly easily into the next season of life, because we all experience them. Right now I'm grappling with the idea that change may be in the air, and I've found that I'm dreaming again, and quite honestly, I haven't dared to consider options for quite some time. It happened rather oddly, as I was searching for paint brushes in Hobby Lobby one day. I had some time, and I wanted to see what was available in fabrics, and I stumbled upon new merchandise, expanded product lines, all creative, and I began to "design" art and clothing lines in my mind. I had already started the process of "crafting" as I was browsing through Pinterest boards for blog photos. Seeing old fashioned teddy bears and Americana artwork and rag dolls caused my head to spin with ideas. I could spend hours developing boards, but I haven't taken the time in years to visit my site, until now.

As I was praying this afternoon for missionaries across the world, in areas where persecution is very high, I looked at my small bulletin board, and I remembered when I had a room with three boards, where I could post so many more photos. As I prayed, remembering their faces, I began to cry, because I need to see the faces of the ones for whom I'm praying, but there are many, and so many more who have lost their lives for Christ. My rooms in the house are so small, so I only have one bulletin board in my bedroom, the room I am using now that used to belong to my mama when she was alive. It's not just a bedroom to me, it's full of memories, old furniture belonging to my grandmother, and memories of my mother. It's also my prayer room, and my hideaway. I spend most of the time in the rocker my ex-husband of twenty-five years gave me, and although it is old, the fabric tattered and worn, with its creaks and squeaks, it, too, is a special memory I hold dear. I am surrounded by teddy bear "friends" and others, including a rag doll my grandmother helped me make from an old flour sack she had in her attic when I was very young. It has pink yarn hair and embroidered blue eyes, one I did, rather poorly, and the threads are beginning to come loose now. Still, she's a treasure to me, my raggedy Suzie.

I was asked to help with the county fair again this year, setting up art work and other exhibits. I think this year will be photography and paintings. County fairs are so much fun, especially when kids bring in their farm animals and produce. When I was young, I belonged to Four H, and I used to participate in the contests for sewing, cooking, and artwork. Each time I help with the county fair, seeing the arts and crafts, canned, preserved, and baked goods, and especially the quilts, teddy bears and dolls, I get excited and encouraged to think about entering my own things the next year, but all too quickly the notion wears off once I come down from my high and see all the work waiting for me here. Somehow I must find a balance between repairs and handiwork. Perhaps there's a way to handle both tasks and interests on a bigger canvas! Walls need to be painted after plaster is repaired, so maybe, just maybe I can have the best of both worlds. I guess it's time to pull out the art and design books I have piled on the shelves and consider the possibilities. Who knows, I may have talked myself into a new career, or at least challenged myself to think outside the box. Wish me luck, and say a prayer for direction too!