Gratitude

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving. For Sweetie and I it was quiet, and our food consumption was not considered “traditional”: steak, baked potatoes, oven roasted asparagus, and lemon meringue pie. I had a glass of a French Rose that complemented the meal well. A simple feast for two. While we as a nation give thanks collectively on this day, as Catholics we offer Thanks every day, for that is the meaning of the word Eucharist. And the Eucharist itself is our Lord Jesus fully present to walk with us, guide us, comfort, console, to enter into our daily lives. 

The early part of this year was, as I’ve shared, kind of rough, oh forget the kind of it was rough. So much doubt and overwhelming fear. This year progressed like the seasons, the beginning and awakening in spring, filling this soul with hope the more I relied on God. The summer was steady, searching, and trusting. The fall turns out is vibrant, as fall is. Fall Market was particularly energetic, I couldn’t put my finger on why however I trusted that something was coming. The conversations there continued to shift the internal negative thinking to Gratitude. 

Gratitude led to Joy

Galatians 5:22 the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

Gratitude took the place of fear, and this led to joy and peace. Deep gratitude for the time wherein the struggle was the greatest so that the joy and peace are deep, and sweet. Deep gratitude for an openness to wherever God would lead. The prayer became essentially, “not my will by Yours Lord” and “thank you for this time to grow with You” and “thank you for my Sweetie and my friends who supported me through this moment, they are like drops of grace along the path.” This path wasn’t expected however it is peaceful. 

Gratitude for the work ahead and the possibilities. I know challenges will come, however if quilting has taught me anything over the years it’s that challenges are an important part of allowing us to exercise that creative part of our self. Finding, thinking through solutions is creative. I know that there will be times when asking for assistance is essential to the overall success of what I’m doing. I promise I’m not being cagey what I can say at this moment is that I’m a New York/New Jersey Territory Sales Rep for a fabric company. I will make a formal announcement on TerifiCreations when I can. 

I ask you all to keep me in your prayers as I journey into this new territory both personally and professionally. This is an opportunity to build, to continue to connect in an overall Faith, Work, and Personal Life. I’m so very grateful for this. 

Quilters one thing that I can assure you of is God’s faithfulness through the moments when I felt lost, alone, wholly uncreative, and stagnant. I can assure you that the difficult moments lead to new life. It’s hard to see this in the moment, I do know this. I can assure you that our creativity returns in new, and sweet ways the more we rely on our Creator, and off Him our “Yes!” It won’t look the “same” as before, and it shouldn’t. We have new experience, new trust, new gratitude and a new openness. Sometimes we need a new perspective.

Gratefully yours,

Teri