Knitting... and Counting

 Count Your Blessings... Instead of Sheep

Knitting is difficult business.  Not only are there countless types of yarn in a plethora of shades  from which you can craft just about anything apparently, but also, there are various types of needles in all kinds of sizes and shapes for any manner of projects. And don't even get me started on the directions!! It's like reading a foreign language! 

There I was, practically bedridden, and desperate for something to do as the boredom loomed over the horizon, menacing and eager to gnaw at my inner happiness. I decided that I needed a project... something simple enough to do so I googled an easy pattern online, picked out some yarn, bought the needles, and sat down with my knitting.  Hah!  

Now, I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, and I've done some knitting before, but I had absolutely no idea how to start this "easy" project.  I couldn't figure out the directions because it looked as if they were scripted in ig-Pay atin-Lay!! Garter stitch this, knit one, pearl one, jump over your feet... all the counting! I couldn't see the forest for the trees and I definitely couldn't figure out how this was going to turn out into a hat! I feel sorry for my mom who bore the brunt of my frustration, not only because of my angry outbursts... but also in my ensuing emotional meltdowns.

Maybe you know...I have had some time on my hands recently.  Well to be precise: two months and eight days.  Tuesday, October 5th, 2010, "...a day that will live in infamy..." at least in my life.  A simple twist of fate, a simple fall totally destroyed my leg and I'm still recovering! I wish I could say that I've used that time very well and accomplished many things, but after careful reflection, so far this is what I've come up with:  many tears have traveled their way down my cheeks, some in excruciating physical pain, some in deep emotional agony, mourning my losses, real and perceived.  I cannot count the number of episodes of television I have watched. I have read only one novel, written only one or two poems, and made no serious attempts at fiction. I have not even been a great friend, forgetting birthdays, anniversaries, and thank-yous of those who've been so encouraging to me.  But, as I spent countless hours sleeping and resting, The Healer patiently knit my bones back together, much the same way as He has knit my life back together after too many "simple falls" in my own spiritual, relational, and emotional life.  





 ^13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
      you formed me in my mother's womb.
   I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
      Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
      I worship in adoration—what a creation!
   You know me inside and out,
      you know every bone in my body;
   You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
      how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
   Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
      all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
   The days of my life all prepared
      before I'd even lived one day. (Psalm 139:13-16, The Message)


It has occurred to me that perhaps this accident wasn't an accident at all.  And so, in the spirit of this Christmas season, I offer to the world my list of blessings... though too numerous to count, I thought I could at least start this list as an offering of public worship to the One who knew all of my days before I'd even lived any of them.  I encourage you to do the same. I would love to know... 
What are the blessings in your life?!

 Andy.  My best friend- the kindest, smartest, most giving & patient person I know...who romances my silly, girlish heart with tenacity.  Ohh the possibilities we have together! I am so glad that God brought you to me!

 Family. All of my family. Norweigans. Finns. South Africans. My brother-my friend. Mom and Dad-my teachers and protectors.  Groops, Taylors, Gundersens, Gales, Kleivens, Eikes, Heynses....and so on  and so forth. As my dad so eloquently says, "Family is all you've really got in this world."

Friends, lots of friends. Friends, who by definition are the family you get to choose. Friends, near & far, young & old, old friends, new friends, close friends, and the kind of friend who will help you put your socks on or tie your shoes... you know... real friends.  Even, my furry friend who tenderly guards my (once broken but now mending) leg!


Health, wealth, and happiness. I know it sounds cliche, but as I look at this short list of blessings I realize how wealthy I am! As I compose on my computer from the comfort of my warm couch, staring at my lovely Christmas tree,  I choose to remember.  I will remember that my cup is overflowing. I will remember the apostle Paul's wise words reminding us to know how to live in plenty & in want.  Yes, there are children in Africa, and right here in the 'burg, whose bellies need to be filled and bodies need to be healed. I will count my blessings and knit them into the fabric of my testimony so that I can speak of God's healing power.