Today I met a woman, while shopping for groceries, who was amazing. She was an ordinary 83 year old woman at first glance. As I talked to her, I learned that she had three children by the age of 20, has only bought one dress in her life, makes all of her own clothes, took care of her husband until he died. I asked her if she ever got lonely, and she said that she had plenty of work to do and was not lonely. She still tends her garden and sews her clothes. She was buying patterns. She said they lived off of nothing when their children were growing up. Out in the country and everything was simple, and they worked hard.
It reminded me that things are not that important, and while it is nice to have a nice new TV, or a bedroom suite, it is much more satisfying to make my own skirt, even if my prideful heart wants to tell everyone that I made it. I think I forget that Work is so rewarding. The tomatoes from my flower bed taste better than the ones I buy. The things I make remind me that I have had many gifts and talents given to me, and builds confidence that I am using my time wisely.
The woman was so grateful for everything. I read an article in a back issue of The Friend, and it was about a little girl who was compelled by her mother to find something to be thankful for in every situation. What an attitude improver. That is my goal this week; to find something to be grateful for in every situation. So when the clothesalanche falls on me, I guess I will be grateful the clothes are clean, and not dirty.
7 years ago
2 comments:
Thanks Amanda! I too need to have this goal daily. I need to enjoy the blessings I DO have and not dwell on the one's I think I should have.
If I actually sewed something, I would want to show people, just so they would believe me. :)
Love what you shared! Last night, at like, 1am, I was finishing sewing something for the nursery and I was so pumped! As I audibly remarked, "sweet," I wondered if God ever said something along those lines or felt a similar excitement as He masterfully and intentionally created...and I was reminded of how creative He is...and I know I'm rambling in a comments section, but those "hands on" experiences of making something, whether it's planting tomatoes and enjoying their superb taste, or sewing your own skirt and getting to wear it, or imagining your unborn babe asleep on the bedding you made, or whatever, there's something uniquely satisfying in that process.
Anyway...maybe not quite the intention of your post, but those are the thoughts your post provoked. :)
Thanks for sharing!
Post a Comment