Woven Love

141. It's an interesting number. It should be 142 but I'm slow, so it's a 141. I'm sure you're wondering what 141 means and why would I bring it up. Today I was getting ready for our worship services this weekend and I finally got around to counting the number of prayer shawls that members of my congregation have made. It might be 142 if I get really fast tonight and finish my 1 shawl. Several years ago I decided that I wanted to learn how to knit and knowing myself I knew I wouldn't just learn unless I had a reason - so I decided I would learn how to knit and make a prayer shawl. I have made 3 - ok more like 2 1/2 - but slowly and steadily I have wrapped yarn around knitting needles and made a shawl praying for the person who was to receive it. After I started, I realized that there were others in my congregation who knew how to knit and crochet and so we started a "Knit and a Prayer" ministry, making prayer shawls for those going through hard times but also in celebration of weddings and baptisms.

For the past two years we have made prayer shawls for people who have been hospitalized over the holidays to remind them that even in the midst of their struggles there is a God that loves them and surrounds them in their time of need. We have taken over 75 each year. Well after we provided prayer shawls this past year I got the hair brained idea that we would present a prayer shawl to every family in our congregation as a part of our stewardship program this year. I love the symbolism of knowing that each of us is wrapped in God's loving embrace and accepts us for who we are and where ever we are. It was a huge project and thank God there are women in this congregation who have knitted or crocheted their hearts out for this endeavor because if it was left to these slow hands we'd never had made it.

So there are a 141 prayer shawls to be handed out this coming weekend to our members that have been past around our circle at the end of our meetings and prayed over. There are 141 prayer shawls that have lovingly been woven together as our ladies watched tv or sat at meetings or while we gathered together in our meeting.

It's easy to forget in the midst of the struggles of daily life that we have a God that loves us and cares for us. It's easy to forget that in the midst of the ups and downs of life that we have a God that is right there for us. It's easy to forget that when no one else cares - God cares. It's easy to forget that God surrounds us with the body of Christ to support us and encourage us and remind us. It's easy to forget.

Hopefully for those who will receive these prayer shawls this weekend it won't be as easy.

I've got a little ways to go on mine - but maybe God has another plan for it to bless someone in need - so I'll just keep knitting away....slowly. If you would like more information about prayer shawls or you would like information about how to make one - please comment and I'll be happy to post it.

Full of grace...just not very graceful,

Pastor Jill