As a pastor, so much of what I do requires me to be focused. I generate an incredible amount of material each week for worship, special programing, workshops, and other activities. Sometimes my brain starts to feel like the pong game on the early Atari video games (Yes, I am dating myself, but I figure you can kind of tell that from the picture.). In order to help myself keep in the creative zone, I need to give my brain time to quiet down to think. Simple repetition allows my brain to make space to gather the thoughts that need a little time to percolate or go by too fast to gather. Recently, I have found that crocheting has become a way to offer my brain this time.
I used to crochet years ago, but haven’t in some 25 years or so. I decided to take it up again when I took my current call so that I could find a way to connect with our prayer shawl knitting team and meet some new friends at a local art shop in town.
This is actually the second of my creations. The first one already shipped out for a recent new arrival into the world, the child of one of former Girl Scouts. I extended the pattern of this prayer shawl so that someone could wrap themselves comfortably in it and feel the palpable presence of God’s love around them. I have yet to know exactly where I will send it, but I trust I will know where it should go when the time is right.
It is a good thing that this project found its logical conclusion because I have been feeling called to do another baby blanket for a new cousin who was set to be on his way. I picked up the yarn last week, and ironically as I started my first three rows on the blanket, I received a text that announced the arrival of little Theo into the world. They will really have to call this one a prayer blanket, because I will need to pray to complete it before this little one graduates from college.
Who knows how long this activity will continue offering the relaxation that I need. I know I can’t do anything too complicated and am not really looking to improve, but I am enjoying this venture into creative compassion and self-care. Who knows what projects are yet to come.
What do you do to clear the cobwebs and calm the neural pathways?
Wandering and Wondering 