I spent a whole lot of Saturday in the sewing room working on a couple of projects. I fiddled around with a small piece for 1000 Postcards for Peace. Once I find the envelopes I need this, and two other pieces will go in the mail. There is something beautiful that comes from the making of a postcard, peace. I get to go to that place of prayer, of quiet, of contemplation. There’s a lot to bring to God these days. There’s a lot to bring to God everyday, these days seem particularly full.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus
At some point in the middle of all of this I stepped outside to begin brewing sun tea, as the door opened a fly flew in. I wasn’t amused, and longed for the days when we had our cats, both of them were great fly hunters. Barnum would catch them in his front paws with great ease. After lunch I went to close the front door to go back to the studio, the fly landed on the screen. After carefully opening the lock to open the door the fly flew back out. Phew! As you can imagine I’m not a fan of flies, and this sucker was big. It’s not in my house, I’m thrilled.
Fear is the opposite of peace. Fear breeds wantonly, taking over thoughts, telling you lies in such a way as to be believable. The more those lies are believed, the more the fear sets in. Giving into fear is a whole lot easier than embracing, and working towards peace. As each stitch forms underneath the needle, a prayer is spoken for someone, some situation, some thing going on. I’ve “discovered” that peace is riskier than fear. Living with peace in your mind and heart changes the heart narrative, giving the opportunity to listen to the Truth. Peace is an action, an on-going action, an on-going choice.
Living with peace of heart allows you the freedom to explore and create the quilts that are living in my mind. Like the one in the photos above. I’ll be talking more about the process on TerifiCreations. Peace means embracing the God given beauty, gifts, and using them well. Living in peace with yourself, with myself, it’s a long term goal.
There’s been a lot of talk about bullies, bullying and bad behavior in general in the quilting world. It’s ugliness personified. It’s a lack of peace in the heart. A long time ago in my own experiences I started pulling back, and away from the things I love. Without thinking I’ve made comments I’m not particularly proud of. I know how it happens, it’s so easy to get caught up in the, “my friend is right and I’m sticking up for her even if she’s wrong and starting a letter writing campaign to let you know just what we think of you, dammit”
Listening is more important
Being content with our self is key
Moving beyond jealousy is essential to growth
Being sensitive to other people’s needs
Encourage others
If it doesn’t work out, there’s no need to be mean
Be careful interpreting others words and actions, and most especially their intention
And if people don’t want me in their life for some reason, it’s all good
Treat people well even if that doesn’t come back
Enjoy quilting every single day
Peace will come.
Peace does come.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Give in to peace.
God bless,
teri
PS stay tuned for more on courage
A Quilter's Heart 