This Christmas I was thankful that long ago my mom and grandmother took the time to teach me to sew and do simple needlework. It took practice and often my stitches had to be taken out and I would try again. Little did I know when I was 8 years old learning to do a french knot – take the needle up through the fabric, wrap the thread around the needle, put tight and place back into fabric – that God knew I would use that skill to place eyes on my grandson’s stuffed gingerbread. I sit in wonder how that little girl is now blessed to be a grandma, to have little feet that run to me and plants wet kisses on my cheek.
My grandson (like his grandma) likes gingerbreads and when he sees one he says in his happiest voice “Gingy.” So in mid December I had a thought pop into my head that he might like to have a small stuffed gingerbread to hang out with. I went through the list of what would be needed to accomplish the project – I’d need a pattern, fabric, stuffing, ribbon, sewing machine, thread and time. I used to do boutique work so I realize that even something small needs time devoted to it so it can come to life. Frankly it all seemed like too much – a trip to Michaels just didn’t sound all that fun during the rush of Christmas shopping plus Caden would be no wiser if the gingerbread didn’t get made. But I just couldn’t shake the idea so…
A few days before Christmas I decided I’d go through my limited craft supplies and see what I had on hand. A clip art book provided the gingerbread pattern, 1 piece of brown felt and 1 piece of ecru felt provided the fabric, I didn’t have ribbon but I had embroidery thread and a needle to create icing, eyes, buttons and a cute felt heart on his behind. Cotton balls supplied the stuffing and a tacked down piece of red and white twine gave him a bow. Soon I had the sewing machine out and was zig zagging around the edges.
Looking at this cute little gingerbread I realized that this was truly a gift from my heart and would probably be more of a memory for me that my 18-month-old grandson who was thought of with each stitch.
The bible tells us we are wonderfully made. God knit us together in the womb. (Psalm 139) Each stitch he thought of you and I.
Psalm 139..
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
As I mentioned making this little gingerbread ended up being more for me than for my grandson and that’s fine There are so many things I gleaned from stopping to create.
1. It takes time to create a memory.
2. Stitching stops the busyness of the world – I had read an article earlier that morning that challenged me to take an orange outside and for two minutes toss it in the air. That’s all – just me, the outside and throwing the orange. Sounds silly but this exercise helps stop the multitasking because all you are asked to do is toss the orange and catch – repeat. It’s calming and soon I was feeling the breeze on my face and hearing the birds sing their sweet song. The gingerbread project did the same for me – needle in and needle out.
3. What a joy it is to create something from nothing.
4. While I stitched I thought of one of my most favorite people.
5. I was reminded of Psalm 139.
6. My stitching isn’t perfect and I’m okay with that. “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.”
7. Now my grandson’s reaction wasn’t over the top for the gingerbread. In fact he didn’t give it much notice (this year) but that too gave me something to reflect upon. How many times does God provide for me – extends his love, comfort, provision, guidance, support, etc and I’m not over the moon about it or don’t even notice? Yet – He is same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He promises never to leave me. He knows that the very thing he gives me today and goes unnoticed will be the very thing that delights my heart in the future (just like that 8 year old little girl learning to make a french knot for a the eyes of a gingerbread boy 47 years later.)
