This
year I am learning to use my talents to help others. I like to say
that I love knitting sweet little things for people and then making
the package look pretty. But I wasn't doing it as often as I would
have liked. God has been showing me in many ways to let go of
perfection and to do more for others and not to focus so much on myself.
To write this is hard, but to live this is even harder. Honestly it is
hard to not think of myself as much and focus on others more.
This
week God put on my heart to give the baby booties that I was planning
on selling to the pregnancy center, in my old hometown in Colorado. A
few years ago, I donated a bunch of baby booties there and they were so
appreciative. I knew I wanted to do it again, but never thought I had time to do it.
When I started getting
my supplies together, I realized that I love doing this. Organizing and knitting the baby booties and making the package look pretty
makes me so happy. I realized that this is what I was made to do.
A
quote from my favorite author that is a reminder for me says, “The
key is for you to discover what you love to do, what you were created
to do, and then do it for the people around you with love. That is
the abundant life, dear girl, no matter where in the world you live.” Robin Jones Gunn from the book Finally & Forever.
The
bags I created are one of my favorite things to make. They are fun to
make, because you get to use paint, stamps, and my favorite that
floral ribbon. Whenever I make these bags I think, “what would you like the bag to look like?” or “would this brighten your day?” My hope and dream for all of the knitted gifts/pretty packaging is it would make the receiver smile and know that they are loved.
I would also like to know if you all know another place where I can send hats, booties, and blankets too? Please let me know in the comments!
To view other bags I have made click here and here. I also found the tutorial on this blog.
Thank you so much for this post! I'm getting to the point with my knitting where I still love to knit and want to knit (all the time, ha), but I'm realizing that I probably don't need too many more cowls/mitts/etc. I've been thinking that I should start knitting more for others: for my family and charities. I used to wonder, how can I serve God by knitting? What difference can I make with that? But here's something. :) Thanks for inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteThe booties are adorable. Sometimes I knit for me and sometimes for others. I think it's a good balance. I like knitting for my family if they value knits but I like knitting for charities sometimes too. I found one charity I like to knit for, it's an organization in Africa that takes squares and makes them into blankets for orphans. You can make the squares from leftover scraps. I like to use bright fun colors the kids would like. If I have sock yarn I just double it. I make my squares like a dishcloth, cast on 3, k1, k in the front and back. knit to the end. cont till square is 8". then k1, k 2 tog knit to the end.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link for the organization.http://www.knit-a-square.com/ I have made 43 squares so far. I try to make a few every year. It's a fun way to help others. Thanks for the reminder I need to make a few for this year.
Such sweet wee booties! And the bags, too! I admire your giving, tender heart. :)
ReplyDeletexo Lisa
so adorable, you have a heart of gold and I know those babies are feeling loved. And I think your knitting is spectacular!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet! It is a challenge to all of us to remember to give to others, as God first gave to us :)
ReplyDelete