I saw this graphic on Pinterest, and it inspired me to write a little more about the prayer shawl ministry that I am involved in. It is amazing what it has done for my life and that of others, and this graphic pretty much sums it up! So I will expand on these thoughts!
I have described in previous blogs how I got started this past January in the prayer shawl ministry http://hendersonmemories.blogspot.com/2012/02/prayer-shawl-ministry-revives-art-from.html . I have also described some of the gifts given in another blog http://hendersonmemories.blogspot.com/2012/06/prayer-shawl-ministry-offers-new.html If you haven't read these, you might want some history.
In 2012, I have made 45 prayer shawls, around 20 chemo caps, and various other scarves and neck warmers. Once I got started, there is no stopping me.
We all live in a world of turmoil and stress and busyness and pressures, and I have found that crocheting is the one very organized things I can do to de-stress my mind - it gives me peace in many ways. When I can't sleep at night - I crochet. When I am nervously waiting on something - I crochet. When I am having my morning coffee and visiting with my husband - I crochet. When I relax and watch television or listen to music at night - I crochet. I have even begun to crochet during breaks from work in my antique/gift shop on occasion. It helps my mind to work things out and the methodical stitching calms me. Another calming aspect is that I am able to make something that I can give to help relieve the stress of someone else.
When a prayer shawl is presented to someone - it represents love, peace, prayers, hugs, support, comfort - all these wonderful things can be found by the giving and the receiving of this shawl. I have given many away to various people who have come into my life and are experiencing serious health problems or grief in their lives. I have made more than I have people to give them to, so I decided to sell some of them with the $ received to go to my church for community outreach. I wasn't sure at the time that this was a good idea as I didn't really want it to be perceived as a commercial venture. But to my surprise, it has been so rewarding, as people from all over the country are purchasing them through my store on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/hendersonmemories . These individuals have asked me to say extra prayers for specific things and enclose loving notes from them in the package. This gives me a feeling of warmth to be a part of something much bigger than me - sending love and prayers in a box - and knowing the reaction of the person on the other end. Examples: one to Colorado for a lady undergoing brain surgery and her sister wanted to comfort her, another to California again from a lady wanting to comfort her sister who is very ill, another to Florida to be given to a Grandmother who is terminally ill, and more.
God has given me many gifts, and one of them is the ability to make these beautiful shawls, and I am happy to be making them to benefit others - both the shawl and the $ go toward helping others who are less fortunate than I am at the moment. We are supposed to reach out in this world and love each other - this is my small part.
If you have a talent you can share with others that will bring them happiness, laughter, peace, comfort - this is a good time to explore your gifts and determine what you can do for others. The rewards for them and for yourself are immeasurable - I promise! Well, gotta go - lots of crocheting to do! Stay tuned!
