Potholder Perspectives: Priorities

It's finally time to wrap up the potholder perspectives series. To be honest, I've been spending a lot more time with my horse than with my yarn (www.sanesoundspotted.blogspot.com). This current crocheting motivation might have something to do with the weather; winter approaches and I am keen to pick up a project again for the rainy weekends and dark nights.

With work, relationships, and other interests all competing for my time, crocheting has taken a fall on the priority list. I used to say, "I don't have time," but I eliminated that white lie from my vocabulary. If it's important enough, I make time. So the truth is: other things are more important to me than crocheting, and priorities are simply about decisions.

This final pair of potholders is for my secret santa co-worker. The Christmas season is well underway. Each year I think it couldn't possibly get more commercial and then it does - a good example of misplaced priorities. Jesus is swept away in a flurry of advertisements and wrapping paper.

Sifting through the season makes me realize how I've struggled recently to put time with God first. We talk everyday, but haven't been spending as much quality time together. My mind has been involved in personal circumstances and distracted by endless work details. In the meantime, time flies by and before I realize it, a week's gone by without Kingdom change.

Crocheting can stay for several months at the bottom of the priority list, but my walk with Jesus is too important to sit on the back burner. Lord, please help me to make you my number one priority.
 

Matthew 6:33"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (ESV)

Pattern: Linda's Snowflake Potholder
Credit: ravelry.com

Happy Thankgiving!

Potholder Perspectives: Persuaded

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

The same day that I made this Valentine themed potholder, I came across an old list I wrote in college titled, “How I know God Loves Me.” Here’s an excerpt:

1.       He sent Jesus (to start with the obvious…)

2.       He created horses.

3.       He gave me such a great family that I get homesick.

4.       He made chocolate.

5.       He smiles when I baby-talk my pets.

6.       He wrote harmonies for me to sing.

7.       He listens, even when I don’t.

8.       He inspired Jane Austen to write novels.

All I can say is I am persuaded I love Him too.

Potholder Perspectives: Princess

These latest potholders have a bit of pizzazz thanks to some glittery thread I crocheted together with the regular worsted weight yarn.

A few months ago I finished reading a book called “The Supernatural Ways of Royalty” and it changed my perspective on how Christians walk in authority as sons and daughters of the King. It also gave new meaning to my name, which is Hebrew for “princess.”

Princesses are such a stereotyped cliché in American culture that they’ve become little more than singing Disney heroines. They conjure up images of pink and poodles, tiaras and gowns, arrogant bumper stickers and movie icons. This caricature tainted my perception; I’d never thought about how the identity of a spiritual princess would affect her behavior, decisions, expectations, self-worth, beliefs, and actions.

A daughter of the King has confidence, because she knows her worth is based on a rank given by grace, not achieved by performance. Rejection doesn’t crush her self-esteem, because only the King’s opinion matters. She is not afraid to act, because she has the authority to do so. She is comfortable in her own calling and significance, so she can selflessly pour herself into others.

In the couple months since finishing the book, the Holy Spirit keeps confirming these truths in my life. Related topics come up in small group discussion. Multiple friends specifically mention the meaning of my name, out of the blue. My pastor preaches a sermon series about our identity in Christ because of who He is.

In my name, God has  been declaring an identity over me my whole life, and I’m just now starting to believe it. Now that’s worth some sparkle.

Psalm 45:13 "The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace; her clothing is woven with gold." (NKJ)

Pattern Credit: Ornamental Potholder by Alice Best. Available at ravelry.com.