The Gift of Encouragement

I know from personal experience, that when I receive something from someone that their own hands have created, it brings with it, encouragement. It tells me "I have been  thinking of you, praying for you. I care. I value you."

I received such  a gift myself, just yesterday, so I know.

The rug pictured was just that - a gift of encouragement. The dear lady to whom it was sent has experienced a multitude of health challenges and painful disappointments. My response was to create a rag rug for her. 

It is my way of saying, "I care about you."  I named the rug, "Gloria Rose"...it reminded me of a rose garden. May it always impart the fragrance of the Savior's love to Gloria.

Sometimes Rugs Are Art

From the very beginning, I called this project 

"Stained Glass".

It quickly became one of my favorite rugs.

I had enough strips sewn together to make two rugs!

A small, bathroom rug for a dear friend...

and a large, oval rug that's for sale on Etsy.

"New Year's Confetti"

A basketful of colors

 That's what the colors reminded me of and that's what I called it, intending to sell this rug on Etsy.

But, my rugs take on prayers, and I found myself praying for my grandson, Antoine, and his young caregiver, Mary. It never failed, every time I picked up the rug to work on it, THAT'S who I was thinking of and praying for!

Once, my 16-year-old son walked into the room where I was busy crocheting and asked me, "Is this one for Mary?" I told him, "No, but that's who I'm praying for."



Of course, God knew all along that this rug was intended for her, and soon after-wards, I knew, too.  The cheerful, candy colors represent her sweet disposition so well. She is a bright spot in her home, in the life of my grandson and everywhere she goes.

The finished rug

The pleased recipient

The rug may be finished, but my prayers for Mary, her family and my grandson continue. I will never forget the kindness, care and love that they have shown Antoine. I hope that this simple gift will be a reminder to them of my deepest gratitude for how they have opened their home to him.

Snug as a Bug in a Rug!

I've been working on this rug for Lauren's living-room for about a year now, a little here, a little there. This morning, while watching Ethan sleep after a seizure, I finally finished it. The "core" print fabric from which the other colors were chosen is the same as her curtains. It is not readily visible in these photographs, however. This will be a bright spot in the room, and can always double as a heavy blanket, safe from the bed bugs.    :)

 

"Weep With Those Who Weep" (Romans 12:15)

And, that's just what I did. 

I wept as I wove these strands together and prayed for a family, which prepared to say "good-bye" to their beloved patriarch. I know that pain...though mine occurred almost 17 years ago. And, although there is comfort in the knowledge that your loved one is passing into the everlasting arms of Jesus,and is free from pain and fear, letting go is never easy.

My sweet friend passed through this valley with such grace. May this rug signify God's grace, which is all-sufficient.

On a coffee table in her home, safe from "muddy feet".

 

Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10)

This rug is a prayerful tribute, a memorial, to a man whose life has passed on into Eternity...and to his loving, faithful wife, who yearns after him.
As Barry's life ebbed away, and I could think of nothing else except Jan's grief, her loss, and incredible courage, I HAD to turn those thoughts and prayers into something tangible...this rug was the result.


The colors represent their geographical location on Earth - wine country - but, more than that, their Heavenly Home...deep purples (royalty! Son and daughter of the King of Kings!) and greens (eternity!)

That middle strip was the foundation for the choice of other colors.

This poem accompanied the rug to its new home:

 Jan, I prayed for you while I wove with love

And will continue to lift you to God above

Though there is nothing that can replace

The warmth and strength of his embrace. 

I pray this rug beneath your feet

Will massage and comfort meet.

May it serve to remind you that I care

And, a degree of your grief and loss I share.

"Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."  (John 16:22)

God bless you, Jan. My prayers continue.

Beginnings

I've just begun work on another wedding rug.  As I laid the strips of fabric out, planning the order of the color scheme, my mind turned toward the symbolism, once again.

The fabrics that I've chosen are all from different places, from different uses: sheets, shirts, unused yardage, curtains, and skirts. These will be sewn together, intertwined, woven, twisted, joined...to form one new thing, a rug.


"AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh." (Mark 10:8)

As the couple for whom I am creating this rug join themselves in holy matrimony, they are joining their distinctly unique backgrounds and experiences and personalities and gifts into one, new creation; and for a new purpose.

God bless them for His glory, is my prayer.  
God bless you, Joanathan & Raquel!