The Power in Your Own Two Hands

There are some seasons in our lives when we go through hard times. During the storm, we find it hard to understand “the why’s” of it all and what could possibly be the reason for the lesson. It is not until we get to the other side of that storm that we realize what God was trying to tell us. Then there are times that in a blink of an eye, one small, seemingly insignificant thing turns into a big life lesson. It could be a song on the radio or a over-heard conversation by the person standing behind you in the grocery store check-out line. No matter the reasons or how they happen, your outlook on life can be changed in an instant by even the smallest, brief moments in our lives. These are the moments that cause us to stop and think of the power in your own two hands. This is exactly what happened to me on a regular, nothing special, Tuesday morning.

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I just went to the craft store to pick up a button. I was in a hurry because I had a laundry list of farm chores that weren’t going to do themselves. I also had a lot on my mind. I questioned my next steps. I wasn’t sure if I was in the place God wanted me to be.  As I walked into the craft store, I remember saying in my mind “God, this farm, this homestead, this blog, is this even where you want me to be?”  While deep in thought, I conveniently, had the hardest time looking for the buttons. I was frustrated. This was supposed to be an in-and-out, 2 minute deal. I was going through every aisle, looking for the buttons when I found myself cutting through the pattern section.

At that moment I was immediately hit with nostalgia. I stopped dead in my tracks and started to reminisce of a much simpler time. A time when “To-Do” lists did not govern my life. Knowing good and well that I really didn’t have time to slow down, I sat down anyway. As I sat down at the table, memories flooded my mind. I started thinking of the many, many times I sat at tables just like these.

Growing up my extremely talented seamstress Grandmother would bring us to JoAnn’s to pick out material and look for patterns. We would spend hours (or what felt like hours to my 6 year old self) sitting at these tables looking through these books. This was my Grandma’s way of browsing before Google. Her mind always in creation mode. Creating something with her own two hands.

I remember always finding a pattern of a cute dress or purse that I wanted and never asking if she would BUY me something like it. I always asked if she could MAKE me something like it. I don’t ever remember her saying no. She could make anything with a sewing machine.

 

As I look at this section of the store I notice that it was completely empty. That would have never been the case all those years back. It reminds me how far we have come away from self sustainability. We buy our clothes for ridiculous prices, we buy food and we have no idea where it came from or what they put on it to make it look so “pretty” and our idea of a perfect home cooked meal is fresh because the box it came in says “hello” and “fresh” on it. In that short, small moment, I knew that the path I had taken was exactly where God wanted me to be. 

This was my lesson for the day. I could have easily missed it. I could have been so wrapped up in just checking this errand off the to-do list that I could have missed the blessing of this small moment in time. I believe we get too wrapped up in all of the things we are trying to juggle that we forget to stop and listen to even the small things that God is showing us. Zachariah 4:10 starts off by saying “Who dares despise the day of small things”. You see, God doesn’t always use monumental, paradigm shifting life circumstances to show us his love or to answer our prayers. God speaks to us every day through the small things. Those small moments that we normally do not pay any attention to because we are so wrapped up in our busy lives. 

For me, this was a small thing that taught me a great lesson. The empty table at the craft store reminded me of why I do what I do. It made me feel empowered and to not be afraid to be different. He has called us to be different after all. This table also reminded me how grateful I am for my Grandma; who is 77 and doesn’t look a day over 60, by the way! She loves gardening, creating things with her hands and cooking amazing meals. I hope I never forget the biggest lesson she ever taught me: the power I have in my own two hands. 

Until Next Time!

XOXO, 

Eva

P.S.- If you need prayer, please feel free to contact me or comment below. I would love to pray with you! 

 

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