~~~~~~Circle of Friends~~~~~~
We all have friends-maybe its just a couple of close ones that we have known for a lifetime and hold them tightly to our heart. For me-the names on my "Labor of Love" have all meandered into my life through the world of Blogging and what a Gift they are to me! First came Diane-she responded to one of my Posts and before long, we were talking on the phone to each other, sharing the ups and downs of living with Chronic Pain and ending our conversations with much needed Prayer.
God was working to help my heart open up so I could be willing to meet other "Friends"
and from halfway around the world, a gentle spirit named Lolita arrived in my life-never hesitating to offer
heart-felt words of prayer for me, asking God to ease my Pain. A "Circle" was starting to form-as we
continued to share openly with each other.
I had seen a name~ Betty~and something about her seemed so familiar, it was like I had known her
for such a long time. She would share how Pain impacts her life and instant prayers were flying back and forth as we did our best to comfort the other.
The Circle of Friends was completed as a young spirit arrived on the scene-Veronica-who brought
Joy, Love, Prayers and much Laughter! We watch the tremendous talents this young woman has been blessed with-suddenly "little Creations called Shtick Figures" seemed to be running around the Circle, spreading sheer Delight as we relish their Impish Nature!
I wanted to do something special for these women-and one day while shopping in a craft store, my eyes were drawn to a Embroidery Project-the Cross being its primary focus-suddenly it felt like my dear
Granny was leaning over my shoulder and telling me "Martha-
take the Cross with you, everything else will come, be sure you do a Nice Job of it!"
Thank you God for letting me be a part of this Circle of Friends.
martha
Thank you, my ever loving friend, Martha.
ReplyDeleteI am so honored to see on stich my name on your linen cloth. I love looking at the cross, a replica of the real one Diane sent me from you and our names entertwined and linked-up each other's names and lives.
That is such a lovely tribute for our group, Martha. Your fingers have created that lovely piece which I know springs from the deepest core of your heart, for us.
Just beautiful and you really did make the link at FB. You are amazing! Praises be to our Maker.
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DeleteLolita-
DeleteI started a reply to your lovely remarks and nothing came out the way I wanted it to be so here is my 2nd try at giving the best words possible for your amazing Love that keeps coming my way!
It had been on my mind for a very long time to try some form of Embroidery that might reflect the COF group. I had to write each name by Hand and then added some extra design to this piece. It felt very "RIGHT" after I finished it, and at times, I do believe my precious little Granny was leaning over my shoulder, giving me a gentle nudge to keep working-making it neat and pretty for everyone to see.
Without question, my life has been so blessed to meet all the COF women~and I believe God will help this to grow-as we keep our hearts focused on HIM.
While working on this piece, my Pain has done everything possible to distract me-and I did have a few moments of just wanting to toss the piece aside and let it go. But I think about how we PRAY for each other-what would the Lord think if one of us was in great need of prayers and suddenly I didn't want to be bothered anymore-the thought is beyond my comprehension--PRAYER is life-sustaining and who knows where I would be without it~~~
I am honored to have you in my life Lolita--God bless you for being so special and something tells me the world will keep seeing much more from Lolita!
God bless you and keep you in His loving Embrace!
martha
pss--this response was MUCH better than the first one!!!!!
Martha...my wise hearted friend...how you have touched our lives with this picture of pure love. God has connected us five women with our different lives but the same God to form a strong bond that the devil hates. Oh I am so glad he does hate us. He does not want us praying for each other, or encouraging each other, he hates us which means, we are stomping him and lifting up our precious Lord. God is glorified through us wise women. Our friendship is truely a God sent thing for us to cherish and be thankful for. You have just taken it one step further with your beautiful cross stitch pattern. Thank you for being so "others" minded. Love it. Betty
ReplyDeleteBetty-
DeleteI am truly touched by your loving words. This piece took me a long time to do because the base was the Cross--I drew the names in, and added some extra decorations to it. Honestly it felt like my little Granny was watching each stitch I took-"Grand daughter-You need to fluff up that thread so everyone's names will be strong!" Can't explain it-all I can say is this was my Labor of Love for all of you.
I agree-that old Devil is not happy and so he can just go sit on a TACK and ROTATE!! My Moma's words she gave me a LONG time ago and I use them still.
To have met each one of you through this amazing BLOG life-and to then form such a powerful PRAYER Circle-well I have a feeling we will be friends for life.
God bless you Betty & I pray HE keeps a close watch over you and Ace!!! Its an honor to know you. (((hugs)))martha
Oh, Martha! Your painstaking labor of love...wow....
ReplyDeleteI'm so blessed to be included in your circle of friends. Truly. I am honored that YOU call me friend. Thank you!
I've missed you! Love to you, Diane
Diane-
DeleteEach of you are very dear to me! Something tells me the "Circle" just might grow-God will handle that and I will stitch another "Labor of Love!"
Having met each one of you has truly been a Gift for me! God has blessed me with Four Amazing Prayer Warriors....
Its my honor to Pray for each one of you.....
(((COF hugs))) martha