June | 2007 | ... a time to dye

Ecclesiastes 3:1,2 &11-15: “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven– A time to give birth and a time to die;

… He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor–it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.”

I grew up in a Christian home, and understood who Christ was. I believed in God all my life. I believed at an early age in the diety of Christ: that he was born sinless to a virgin, that he lived a sinless life, that he died for my sins and was resurrected from the grave on the third day. I understood this and was moved by the fact that there was someone who was perfect, yet he took on my sins so that I might spend an eternity with him in heaven.

Yet I didn’t feel the transforming power of God until college. I met some very dear friends who encouraged me to really live for Christ and not through my own strength , but his. This was a new and foreign concept to me. But college became a turning point in my life.

Fast forward about a decade. Now I’m a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom). With the birth of my first daughter, life became much less predictable than it had been. Spending time with adults, and time with God became much harder than it had been. But after a while, I met some wonderful friends who helped me and together we began this new journey in Christ, motherhood. It’s different, but better in so many ways. I’ve come to understand my Savior in so many new ways. What mercy means, patience, unfailing love. What it means to love a child, and He who created us loves us more than I could possibly fathom.

Now the birth of my 2nd daughter was great. She’s such a blessing and a joy. And her older sister (who was barely 2) took to being a big sister so well. But about 6 months into my life as a mom to 2, my world turned up-side down. I found myself struggling with severe postpartum. I felt so alone and despondent. After a few months and some deep prayer, I am now back to normal. But in that time, there were a lot of questions: about my faith, who I was, what I really believed about everything. What I took from this time are lessons that strengthened me. I came to understand my God in a much deeper way. I understand more of who He is and how much He loves me. How His love is unfailing, even when I am.

It was in this new “awakening” time, that I started dyeing yarn. I dyed one with my oldest daughter (dd1) and named it “Morning Glory”. It looked like the morning glory flowers and like a sunset/rise. I found a photograph that someone had also entitled “Morning Glory”. The colors were very similar, and it showed a beautiful sunrise over breaking waves on the beach. I really mulled over the play on words. How God shows us His mercies and glories each and every morning. I started thinking that I could probably find some good ideas for yarn dyeing in the Bible. (It is a very big book, you know!) My eyes were opened. All of the sudden, I saw color in a whole new way! I saw it everywhere. I looked and looked and the names I came up with and color combinations, I didn’t see anywhere else. I vowed then and there, that I’d dedicate this journey to the Lord and that I’d spend my time and energy glorifying him in my art.

I believe that our God, who is perfect and knows all things- past, present, and future- allowed this time in my life for my growth, and for my art. He knew that the hard time would produce a joyful time.

“I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor–it is the gift of God.” And I hope that you may be blessed by my work. It is my gift from God. And I pray that you will come to understand the peace that I’ve found in Him.