Knitting... a way to calm the soul

I was finally able to attend the knitting group last night that started meeting several months ago.  At first I had conflicts with a meeting on that time, but now we meet on Tuesday evening.  I can't remember all the conflicts, but last night, the only thing holding me back potentially was going to be my weekly homework assignment.  But I was able to get it done in the afternoon.

I made some banana bread and grabbed my knitting bag and waited for my ride.

Yes, I have a knitting bag.  I used to include in my blogger autobiography that I was a "knovice knitter", but I took that out, feeling that I couldn't claim it really.  Yet it is true.  I am a knovice knitter and have been for four years now.

my knitting bag that I got from the store where I purchased the yarn 4 years ago ☺

Four years ago after SOULfeast 2010, I got some beautiful yarn in Asheville, NC and started learning.  Back then, the neuropathy from the C5 and C6 in my neck and the frozen shoulders still made it difficult to go long periods, but I would do what I could.  I learned the basic stitches of knit and purl.  But I also messed up quite a bit and didn't have my teacher around lots.

I did find my way to the Genuine Purl shop once in these past 4 years for some practice and help. 

And I did get some other help along the way.  And I know I have worked on the piece several times, had it torn out several times (and I tore it down once myself too) and have started over).  But, I can't remember the last time I picked up the needles prior to last night.

I was looking forward to attending this knitting group last night because it was/is more than just knitting (literally-- you can bring any craft you desire to work on).  It is a time and space for folks to share their spiritual journey with one another, to check in, to grow, etc.

Being my first time, I didn't know what to expect.

But having learned from Kathryn Damiano at the final session of our 2 Year Academy about active silence, I sat in silence and focused on knitting for the most part. 

I met some new people last night and reconnected with others I hadn't seen since Easter. 

I also reconnected to the basic movements of knit and purl.

Nothing magical happened with my knitting.  In fact, it got ripped out and now I am being held accountable to start my scarf (one of my intended projects 4 years ago). 

 

my "tie" as I kept added stitches to it. ☺

the beginnings of my scarf

Nothing magical happened in my soul, though I was comfortable in my own skin the entire time, at peace, and that says quite a bit. 

Opening up spaces for people to share their spiritual journey with one another, to check in, to simply "be"..... an important part of the journey that doesn't always happen.

Kudos, dear friend, for listening to the inner voice and obeying it to begin such a group!

May we all open up spaces in our days to share the journey with others, to check in, and to simply "be" with one another.   May we also be intentional to have those spaces in community, especially if they don't exist in our current ones.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

¿Dónde está Jesús? / Where is Jesus? Session #2

If you read my first blog on this topic, you know that the Jesus Doll is part of the worship experience at the 2 Year Academy of which I'm a part.  I shared some photos of Jesus and the altar scenes and my reflections for the week from my first week.

I was looking forward to the Academy.  I was looking forward to meeting back up with the team, my group, and the others.  I was looking forward to all the Spanish and the worship.  I was looking forward to the faculty and what they had for us.  I was looking forward to the silence and the solitude.  I was looking forward to seeing the alligators.  If that last one didn't make me sound a little crazy, now I'm going to sound like a little kid here, but that's okay.  As I claim, I'm a child of God. ☺ I was also looking forward to seeing the Jesus Doll.  I could be "spiritual" and say that I was looking forward to seeing Jesus.  (And, I was.)  But, I seriously was looking forward to seeing how the Jesus Doll would participate in worship with us during the week, according to the themes of the day.

I didn't get pictures everyday this past week of Jesus, but I got a few.  One I didn't get was the first day we arrived.  The word was "creation".  Jesus was in the back of the room, sitting by the shell with the stones and water, holding a vine.  That was cool.

The next morning, Jesus was sitting on the floor in front of the altar with his right hand raised up as if to say, "Hi". 

Below, Jesus holding an apple on the theme day for "sin".

Here, Jesus is knitting.  I love the yarn colors here! (I forgot the word theme for this day.)

Here, Jesus is in exile, far away from the other things.



The last morning, I walked in for worship and looked around.  I didn't see Jesus anywhere.  I wondered where he had gone.  I asked the one in charge of setting up the altars and the worship space and she explained to me that Jesus had gone the night before to keep someone company, someone who needed Jesus more than the worship space.  That was pretty cool, I thought.

I sat down and started preparing my heart and mind for worship.  Then, I looked up at the theme for the day and the word was "restoration".  WOW!  Not just "pretty cool", but REALLY COOL!!  Because I knew where Jesus was.  I knew who he was with.  And, there was no better place for Jesus to be on this day of restoration than with this person.

Yet, what did that mean for the worship space?!?!  I don't know, we'll see.  Jesus has a way of showing up unexpected.  I'm not going to lose hope that I will see Jesus once again worship with us and among us.

Meanwhile, it looks like it's going to be up to the rest of us to be the Jesus that he modeled for us.  To live daily into whatever the "theme" of the day brings and to worship alongside others, to be the hands and feet that bring hope, love, and restoration to those in need.

I know, I know... maybe it's odd that the Jesus Doll can inspire me so much, but it has!   And, I'm not the only one.  There are several of us wondering about a group discount. ☺

Anyway, may you find Jesus when you seek him.  May you be inspired to live as he did.

Blessings on your journey!

~Debra ☺