It's Kind of Like a Rosary, Only Not

Listening to:  “New Surrender” (Anberlin)
Still reading:  A Wild Sheep Chase (Haruki Murakami)

My favorite hobby these days is bracelet making.  Hokey sounding?  Maybe.  Still, hear me out…

The thing I love the most about bracelets is the action--it’s like meditation.  The repetition frees my mind to think and pray about issues I’m having, questions I have about God and His word, or all the great stuff happening to me.  Each knot belongs to a new thought.

Here’s the other thing I love-- they make great encourager gifts for friends.  This is what my bracelets are most often for.  If you’ve known me for any small amount of time, you probably have, or are going to get, one of my bracelets.  Even if you’re male, so watch out. 

When I start out making a bracelet for someone, I sift through the different media (twine, embroidery floss, paper string, etc) and colors I have on hand until I find the perfect string for him/her.  Something that reminds me of them in any way. 

When I start the actual weaving, I have to say, I have sort of a spiritual experience akin to the meditation I was talking about before.  As I braid the threads, I can’t help thinking of the person for whom the bracelet is meant.  I remember fun times, special talks, certain looks.  I remember these things, and every time I end up praising and thanking God for my friend.

Then, before long, the bracelet is finished, tailored as perfectly as possible to my victim’s (hem hem) wrist.  It is then sent on it’s way, full of prayers and thanksgiving for you.

Still sound hokey?   I don’t think so.

Showing it Off

 Listening to:  "Instincts" (Ivoryline)
Reading:  A Wild Sheep Chase (Haruki Murakami)

I start school in a hatful of days.  Let’s see, do I have everything packed? 

Socks?  Check.
Shampoo?  Check.
Tooth brush?  Check.
Discipleship?  Wait a second…

Jesus tells us, as he did his own disciple in Matthew 28, to make disciples of all nations.  Not to sit in the back of the classroom quietly wearing a cross and hoping someone notices but secretly hoping they don’t ask you why you wear it.  Option B has always been me.  This time I’m going with curtain A. 

Like the song says,
“Be strong and courageous and do not be afraid
The LORD goes with you each and every day”

Just a short thought, but an important one.

First Thoughts

Listening to: The breeze and my nephew singing

Reading: A Wild Sheep Chase (Haruki Murakami)

Prelude:

So... this is a blog.  Something I have never kept before.  Something that seems a little strange to me (it's pretty much a journal and a myspace bred and put out on the interwebs...).  We'll see how it goes.

Thought #1:

How Easily Things Break and Are Mended

I love old books.  I recently found a ridiculously old paperback version of Ai no Kawiki by Yukio Mishima at my local used bookstore.  RIDICULOUSLY old.  In fact, the cover fell off two days into reading it.  Without the cover, it goes without saying that the entire book was now in danger of falling apart leaf by leaf.  However, with a handful of flour and a cup of water mixed into a paste, my sister was able to bind the volume back together again.  That's skill.

God doesn't even need flour and water to paste me together again.  And he doesn't do it once, secure me with clips until I dry, then set me back on the shelf.  He does this for me everyday.  Here's to You, God.