Ah, holidays, you are finally here…

It has felt like a long time between drinks, even though it has been only the usual ten weeks.

Less that two days into the holidays and I’ve already finished one book. Will hopefully make that a second shortly.

I’m definitely looking forward to doing some sewing with the machine. Have already pinned together a table runner and will soon get the sewing machine out and begin work.

Although I probably should get to work on my cross-stitch first. The one I started some years ago now. It still isn’t finished. Here it is in January this year:

It’s a bit further than that now, but still incomplete.

A search through my photos isn’t helping me set the date on when it began. I know it was in a hotel in the nation’s capital one summer.

It was a pain to begin, that’s for sure. I almost gave up when sorting the colours (that’s right, they weren’t sorted already… just in a messy bundle…unbelievable…)

I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely not claiming expertise on distinguishing between Dark Pink and Dark Rose.

Or Dark Forest Green and Dark Mint Green. Or Dark Dusty Teal for that matter, which evidently is not to be confused with Darkest Dusty Teal either.

And then there’s one that’s just labelled “Green”. And what even is Taupe?

Seriously…

Still I persevered… only to realise that the pattern used blending filament as well. If you’ve never used it before, trust me, it’s irritating.

You can barely even see it in the photo, but it’s responsible for the little glimmering bits in the ribbon banner.

Look closer. It’s there.

Amazing Grace? Feels like frustrating grace to me.

It’s also slow moving and that is something worth reflecting on, because sometimes God seems slow. I think he especially seems slow in lockdown.

But it doesn’t take a lockdown for God to not be in a hurry.

Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for their promised child to arrive.

The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years before they got to the promised land of Canaan.

Then they were in exile in Babylon for another 70 years before they returned.

Then the Messiah is promised directly and indirectly in the Old Testament at numerous points. And of course, he doesn’t come straight away.

Then in the New Testament, Jesus’ return is promised, but that still hasn’t happened yet.

Sometimes God takes a long time. Sometimes grace feels slow.

In those times we remember that The Bible has both promises and commands, admonishment and encouragement. One such encouragement is this:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Sometimes the harvest is out of season. Sometimes grace moves at a snail’s pace.

Don’t get tired. Do good. Do not give up. The harvest is yet to come.

In the meantime, I’ll get back to work.

Yours in a stitchery pattern,

Alison