Unraveled

Knitting is an art form which defies understanding for most of us.

I have been known to knit slippers, scarves and occasionally socks, hats and blankets, but an expert fiber artist I am not!

I collect knitting books, patterns and bits of leftover yarn. There is a basket of yarn balls on my shelf in a basket simply because I like the way they look. I have been known to gather random skeins and save them for heaven knows what!

Several years ago when we received the news a precious granddaughter would be joining our family, I made haste to the local yarn shop, excited to chose something for the beautiful baby blanket which I planned to have done, wrapped and ready by her due date!

The choices were many and after much indecision, I settled on a light grey tweed with a fleck of pink woven throughout. It would be perfect for our little princess.

Unfortunately, it never happened. Baby showers came and went. Her arrival was a few weeks before Christmas. It wasn’t done when she was born and little Faith May did not get the blanket for her first Christmas.

What happened? “It” happened. I was more than half done with my creation when I noticed… THE MISTAKE, at least ten long rows back from where I was.

Sadness.

I was frustrated. I  tried to fix it using the only method I knew of – unraveling back to where I had failed. As you can imagine, it did not go well. I worked my way back and attempted the daunting task of fixing the mess I had caused with my carelessness.

Alas, the demise of Faith’s blanket soon became apparent. Picking up stitches was a disaster. The blanket looked awful. In frustration I pulled on the yarn, and in less than 15 minutes all that remained of my dream to gift my little granddaughter her blanket were balls of yarn and knots.

I never finished it. If you peek into my yarn basket you will find several tightly woven balls of grey tweed with pink flecks. When I think about my unfinished blanket, I am a bit sad and even angry at myself for making such a mess and giving up.

For me, the woven balls in the bottom of my knitting basket represent more than an unfinished blanket.

Much more.

It’s all the other projects, dreams and ideas I have left undone over the past several years.

If I linger in frustration, I feel the same ragged disappointment I did with my blanket project.

But, these days, I’m relearning how to make peace with myself and the seemingly endless pile of tangled-ness. God is at work and I am doing my best to listen to his voice by choosing to be more deliberate and courageous as I draw close to Him.

I am choosing to look at the unfinished as an opportunity to start again. Truly, there is great potential in my yarn balls. The reality is I can still create something special for my now almost two-year old girl.

Life is like that. I am a firm believer in second chances. We are greatly loved by the one who set the heavens in place and calls into order the seas and He longs for you to embrace new beginnings! 

I’m praying as I write these words. I can’t help but wonder where they find you. I invite you to make space to savor the wonder of knowing you are delighted in – regardless of where you are.

• What feels unraveled today?
• Do you need a second chance?
• How can you take a step toward possibility?    

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”  Psalm 8

One of my tangled messes is a commitment I made to write daily. Writing is a call God has put in my heart but I have neglected it.  I’m starting again and I invite you to hold me accountable !

Blessings and Hugs!