Dear TSJ Friends and Family,
Sunday mornings bring a certain routine here at TSJ headquarters. Mr. John has choir practice for about ninety minutes before church each week. It seems foolish to drive two cars, so I gather my book bags, notebook and pens so we can enjoy the ride together.Then I either sit in the car for a quiet time or drive to a secluded spot for reading and journaling.
Last Sunday morning was routine for me . . . until it wasn’t.
AN ORDINARY SUNDAY MORINNG
For some unknown reason, last Sunday after I spent some alone time reading and journaling I grew restless. I decided to leave the solitude of the car and enter the church early. Beautiful choir music floated into the air and felt as welcoming as a warm hug.
But I decided to wander downstairs in the church. Perhaps I would chat with someone working on a project in what might be called the Caring Hands suite. It is filled with material, sewing equipment and quilts hanging on the wall as works in progress. Sometimes people gather before church to finish up a project and enjoy each other’s company.
I entered this rather sacred area with a bit of awkwardness because I confess Mr.John darns our socks, sews up seams and does repairs with thread and needle in our home. I used to do such things but I spent more time tearing out and starting over than finishing a piece to be proud of.
But our church is most fortunate to have an active, dedicated and compassionate group called Caring Hands. This group of women strive to bring comfort and care through making quilts, blankets, mittens, and oh so many things for people facing difficult challenges.
People of all ages, genders and in all parts of the world who face difficult times such as surgeries, losses, cancer treatments and more are blessed by this group.
For example, years ago now, my late Mr.Tom, myself, and Mr.John have all been the recipients and blessed by quilts, and lap blankets made by this group of mission minded women.
It was started, has evolved, and now thrives under the care of a faithful and humble woman who is always thinking about each person there as well as the people who will receive the gifts. She also is blessed with a creative mind and a desire to serve God. Each creation is fussed over for perfection and blessed by a pastor before leaving its nursery.
BIRTHING A QUILT!
I tentatively looked in the door window. They warmly waved me in and offered me a chair. I was cold and this room was warm both in temperature and in spirit. I needed that.
The Caring Hands leader was concentrating on doing something on a quilt that will be part of a fund raising auction and as I looked at it (not knowing anything at all about quilt making) it seemed like a lot of stitching was showing. And the fabric was a bit faded. I was not sure how it could be ready anytime soon.
I asked a couple of questions and she explained some things, but my total ignorance was still hanging in the air. Until . . . She started making a small slit on the side of this quilt!
What? I was really, really confused!
Why did she make that small slit in the outside edge of the quilt?
It was just large enough to put a hand in to grab the inner fabric and pull it out. Wow! They told me it is called “birth the quilt.” As my jaw dropped it happened! This quilt turned into something wonderful. I don’t know how I thought quilts were put together so beautifully but this had never occurred to me.
It reminded me of an experience I have written about before when I was in the Andes Mountains in Ecuador in a small hut. It was there I witnessed the birth of a beautiful Saragura Indian boy. Being present when he was surrounded by midwives, his father, and of coarse placed in the arms of his mother, was one of the most moving moments of my life.
And last Sunday, something about being with my church friends when I needed some inspiration and watching them birth that quilt, (like they have so many others), once again felt like witnessing God in action.
A birthing process is always a marvel.
As this quilt came to life, the women chatted about shared concern for the many people who will be getting a quilt or another hand-made gift.
The spirit in the room was of love and compassion.
A true compassionate community is comforting and inspiring. It is always worthy of celebrating but especially in times of turmoil and pandemic. My heart was captivated and my soul renewed.
INSIDE- OUT LIVING
Observing the process of quilt birthing where one could see the stitching of various pieces sewn together made me realize it is similar to the frequent tug-of-war feelings my own heart and mind go through. There are inner stitches and I can only hope when the inside comes out (in speech or action) it will be more like the inside-out quilt in its comfort and service to the world around.
Many of those quilt pieces had been placed in one position or another many times to get them just right. Similarly, when most of us learn or relearn various spiritual lessons it looks and feels less than beautiful while in process.
When viewing the quilt without knowing the process, one might wonder how it could possibly become a thing of beauty and comfort to others.
But I got to witness the birthing of its beauty! Perhaps it is similar to our human journey of small births and rebirths.
How about your inner world? Is it being worked on lovingly so you can birth new ideas, new hope and let your light shine?
Together may we find our comfort, courage and confidence in a community of compassion and grace.
Solomon and I are celebrating the inside-out process of spiritual and emotional growth. We all can birth little miracles along the way!
So that ordinary Sunday morning became extraordinary in my heart.
Margie and our TSJ muse, Solomon