TPC "lite": The Do-Over Drive
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Today I didn’t do very much. But what I did was hard.
I tackled The Bag.
If you’ve read my blog post from December 2010 “Stewardship vs. Storing Stuff,” you know that I got rid of 20+ boxes of fabric when we moved six years ago. When I wrote that blog post, I got rid of almost all my remaining sewing “stuff.”
But I kept The Bag.
The Fabrics.
Fabrics for the two outfits I would finally sew for myself.
I love the colors and textures of the jumper fabric. And I love the embroidered horses on the split skirt fabric.
I haven’t sewn in more than a decade. I won’t sew for another decade. I don’t even miss sewing or feel any longing to sew.
So why do I still have The Bag of The Fabrics?
Replacing Baditude
When Daniel and I were first married, I sewed almost all my clothes and many of his. I tailored many pair of pants, a long wool coat, and a full suit (made from an exquisite silver-grey silk/wool herringbone.)
When our children were born, I sewed for them, amazingly detailed outfits. I took on contract sewing jobs for many years, dozens of glorious bridesmaid dresses.
Yes, I did “enjoy” sewing. But what I really sewed for were all the compliments.
“You made this? It looks so professional!”
“Your attention to detail is amazing!”
As a Sanguine, I loved all the attention and approval my sewing projects brought me.
As a Choleric, I loved the sense of accomplishment when an outfit was finally done and being worn for the first time.
But what I really loved was escaping the consequences of my mistakes. Ripping out and re-sewing poorly-sewn seams. Doing and re-doing to my heart’s content.
Sewing allowed me do-overs until I achieved perfection.
With God’s Word
On Day 4, I wrote about purity of motives. and the urge to “climb up on God’s throne and try to do HIS job.”
My urge to sew just one of these outfits reveals my continued drive to fix my own imperfections. On my own.
To do and re-do until my heart’s content.
(Can’t see image? Read 1 Corinthians 1:30 here!)
I am pure. Not because I try so hard. Not because I do and re-do until I get it just right.
God declares me
- united with Christ Jesus
- right with God
- pure and holy
- freed from sin
I need to let go of my desire to do…do…do…until I’ve “redeemed myself.”
I need to Let God be who only He is: my Redeemer. (Click to Tweet this.)
And Gratitude
from my journal:
Today I’m praying…
- …to relax.
- …to rest.
- …to quit trying so hard.
Today I’m watching for…
- …someone with whom I can share God’s love through my attention.
- …someone with whom I can share God’s grace through my approval.
- …someone with whom I can share God’s freedom from achievement addiction.
Today I’m appreciating…
- …the chance to practice saying “no” to something I could do but should not do.
- …the reminder that Your approval and Your attention are all I need.
I appreciate your posts. They are encouraging and thought provoking. I need to get into my craft room and sort through it, but I keep thinking I might need something for my next project. I am praying about it. Thank you for your words.
Gla — What to let go and what to keep is absolutely a matter of prayer! I’ve sold craft supplies on eBay in a fit of “must get rid of it” and then wished I’d kept some to use. None of this is one-answer-fits-all. Get God reveal to you what to let go!
I have so many hobby items that I keep saying I’ll get back to. It hasn’t happened. Yes I’ve used some of them in the recent months but it wasn’t for my hobbies…it was for school projects for my kids. 🙂 The items for scrapbooking, card making, and sewing projects sit here collecting dust and taking up valuable space. You’re challenging me to finally take on my hobby stuff. Hopefully I’ll be willing to part with some of it and someone else can use it.
Kristina — LOL re: hobby supplies getting used for kids’ school projects! I almost wept during my daughter’s final high school years as she plowed through my expensive scrapping papers for various school projects…but what was I going to do? Drive to Staples to spend MORE money on “less valuable” supplies? CRAZINESS, I say! (Gently, of course!)
OUCH! This is a painfully too-close-to-home post. (Sanguine/Choleric here) Although mine isn’t sewing, I certainly crave attention and find myself being very ungrateful at home because a mom of 3 littles doesn’t get a lot of “thanks” or applause. I need to let go of that and enjoy my kids while they are still little. I need to enjoy the blowing bubbles in the living room and into the chocolate milk instead of worrying about the mess I might have to clean up later…
Queen Mommy — Oh, you are reminding me of the 40 hours I spent sewing a gorgeous dedication gown for my daughter…even learning and using French heirloom sewing techniques!…while my baby daughter fussed in her swing.
Give yourself FULL permission to enjoy those bubbles and chocolate milk. THOSE are your “accomplishments” for this season! Write ’em on your To Do list and check them off, if that helps!
If I could turn back time and have toddlers instead of college kids, I’d stay out of fabric stores and go to the park instead!
Genuine and beautiful. I will have to think about why I am keeping what I keeping a little harder.
Jennifer — 🙂 My entire goal: intentionality in stewardship.
I have a room I need to get into and clean out some stuff too. thanks for the encouragement.
You’re welcome! Sometimes, a little encouragement goes a very long way! 🙂
You said ‘ I need to let go of my desire yo do..do..do.. until I redeem myself.’ That’s me all the way. It’s very hard to stop doing…
Gingeroo616 at aol dotcom
Stacy — “It’s very hard to stop doing…” SO agree! As a Choleric, I’m naturally a “human doing” rather than a “human being.” God is constantly reminding me to “be still” and know that HE is God. In my life, I find that if I’m not still (i.e. stop doing) then I will feel a million miles away from Him.
Taking on new achievement-oriented projects is a continual temptation because as much as I complain about being overwhelmed with busy-ness, I prefer it to having nothing to do. God is working very clearly in this area of my life, as doors shut and I get very clear “this is NOT the way, walk ye NOT in it!” messages!