All year long, I’ve been working on an embroidery project. In fits and starts as I find my hands free throughout the week, I pick it up and add some more stitches.
Here a little, there a little, it’s coming together. And gradually, all those tiny stitches added together are starting to take shape and turn into a beautiful handwork project that someday soon we’ll be able to display on our walls.
It’s the same with our lives.
The little choices we make. The habits we form. The decisions we make… these all add to the canvas of our lives.
By themselves, the little daily choices and decisions might not seem like they really matter. But they do.
Don’t give up! Don’t stop inching forward. Keep making wise choices, keep exercising discipline, and keep developing good habits.
It will add up to a beautiful masterpiece… a life well lived.
Just the encouragement I needed today. Thank you.
You are so very welcome!
I have to say this was very profound for me today! It seems like we aren’t moving ahead. The more we try . . . but it is true. Each little step we take forward will eventually get us there! Thank you for sharing this!
Yes! It might not feel like progress but it’s making a difference!
I started a wedding cross-stich thing 3 years ago…I really need to get it out and keep working on it even though it frustrates me! Maybe it will help me learn some patience? Thanks!
Cross-stitch is definitely for the patient person… which is why I usually stick with embroidery or knitting. 🙂
I like this analogy. I think it applies to when we make mistakes too. Sometimes we’re not paying attention and we make a little error, or the thread gets caught. It’s a pain to go back and take out those stitches, but it’s better to have noticed the error, rather than go on and finish the project without fixing it – I always think of the adage – a stitch in time saves nine. Moving forward is always a great place to keep your focus! Many thanks!
Yes! So very true.
Thanks for commenting!
I so agree. All year long I carry a purse full of dish cloth cotton and my knitting needles. I knit while my husband drives. I knit as I watch soccer and gymnastics (because I can knit a dish cloth without looking since I have been making them for 14 years). I knit while I am at coffee with a friend. And then every November I get out all the dish cloths I have made that year, and I am always amazed to see 3 full bins, close to 100 dish cloths each year. I give away half as gifts and sell the other half to pay for next years yarn and so the cycle begins. Little moments here and there, do add up.
That’s so neat!! I always want to have dishcloths on hand to give as gifts. I do usually pack a knitting project, just something other than dishcloths. Your having nearly 100 is amazing, though. If I only knit during car rides, I’d have plenty I’m sure!
Victoria, once I visited a Bible study group and a lady was there knitting the entire time while chatting with everyone in the room (it was a small group). You have inspired me to learn to knit. People appreciate homemade gifts, it seems since it shows you put your time and effort into it. Thank you!
When I grow up, I want to be like you, Victoria. You are such an inspiration!
One day I would like to branch out of dishcloths. New things daunt me. I have this pattern (well, a whole book full of them!) that I want to try but still stick with my dishcloths. LOL
This article, as well as the one about your writing voice, were beautifully written. I think you’ve really found a way to make your message feel more heartfelt and welcoming. I always appreciate the encouragement you offer on your blog.
Thank you so much for your kind encouragement!
YES!!
Remember those tiny goals I set for myself last year? Well, I accomplished 2 of them!! HA!! But those are 2 things I won’t have to conquer again…or maybe I will. Every year I learn more and more that it isn’t about perfection, but it IS about being where He has called me to be, doing what He has called me to do, and giving it my ALL.
Congratulations on hitting two of your tiny goals! Yay!!!
This was sweet.=) Very true and yet, so so easy to forget. Thanks for the sweet reminder.
You are so very welcome!
I’ve been curious about your embroidery project for awhile. Thanks for showing it!
It’s almost done now… this was what it looked like near the beginning of the year. 🙂
Very beautiful post. And your stitches are very precise! Well done.
I’ll have to post the finished embroidery when it’s done… because I’m determined that I’m actually going to *finish* it (unlike way too many other sewing project ideas I’ve started in the past!)
Thanks, Crystal, I just really needed to read this today! Have a blessed Christmas season.
Thank you so much for your kind encouragement!
What a sweet post. You are so right. As long as we keep moving forward, little by little, we’ll get wherever it is we’re going.