Last week two things happened that broke into a difficult week and reminded me to keep focused on the goal God had set me.
The first ‘gift’ came as a sympathy card.
On Monday morning my brother turned up at my home to tell me mum was dying, by the afternoon she was gone.
So, a few days later a sympathy card arrived by way of the husband of a friend. I put the unopened card on the table and left it for a while, but when I opened it I found two gifts included, a wrapped chocolate biscuit and an embroidered square for a quilt which read,
'Life is tough, but so are You'
It reminded me that I am not alone, not only is God with me but I have so many friends all supporting me. It told me what I am starting to realise, that I am tougher than I imagined. And it reminded me that I have square to make into another quilt! That although my mums work is done, mine continues.
I didn’t sleep well on Saturday night, I’d been a bit unwell, so in the middle of the night I gave up trying and went to look at my emails and found one from a lady called Margaret.
Margaret had seen the article about the quilts of hope project and had decided to spend some of her quarantine making a quilt for vulnerable women. She had finished a beautiful quilt.
It made my night! and I replied the next day.
To be quite honest, it’s difficult making the quilts, not making them so much, but trying to get people making squares for them and I was asking myself whether I should go all in with the project and push deeper or accept that it was perhaps a short term project.
To find that the project is still relevant and that there are people who still believe in the quilts. Making a quilt is no easy or quick task, so I figured if God prompted someone to take all that time and skill then it’s because God still wants the quilts made.
If you want to know more about the quilts of hope project there’s a link at the top of the page.
I gave Margaret a few options for the quilt, I like the idea of the quilt staying close to where it was made, so she can have a closer connection to where it is supporting people. If anyone knows a project near or in Bristol that it would suit, please get in touch.
It always amazes me, that a blessing made for one person can bounce blessings all along the journey to its final destination, that something as simple as an embroidered square of cotton can be part of a huge picture of blessings for women (and men) who we may never meet.
Thank you Margaret, for the quilt, and for the blessing you passed onto me during one of my toughest weeks.
Dear Betty, Hugs to you for your Mom! I know at 84, my own Mom is more and more dear to me, not knowing how long I Will have her for. She is part of who you have become, and you know is Still with you! As for the quilt topic, I am not a quilter, but since I want to get a new bedspread; I decided to make one. Mine is putting my embroidery machine to work! I’m calling it the Anniversary Quilt, as it will be around our 5th anniversary when this is finished. Afterwards, I am planning to donate left over scraps and un- needed fabric to A local charity shop. Anyway, God Bess You! Karen
That sounds brilliant. It was my mum who dragged me to my first craft fair and bought me endless craft supplies and my mum who was my biggest supporter. I’m still having to get used to making things and not being able to drive over to show her. What lucky people we were because we grew up in an age where computers didn’t rob our childhood.