Little baby sweater I started Monday night.
I believe the Holy Spirit gives us appointments. Just like going to the doctor for a check up, we are given appointments to interact with people. To listen to their stories. To commiserate with them on the trials they face and cheer for them their accomplishments. He gives us opportunities to lift others, to share our own stories, and to meet people in the middle…on neutral ground.
When I headed to bed on Monday evening, I wasn’t 100% sure I would get up and make yet another trip into town. But this trip would be different. Instead of going shopping or running other errands, this was a trip to the local yarn shop to meet new people. To have an opportunity to work on projects together and to maybe become part of a group of likeminded individuals with a common interest…knitting.
I woke up early yesterday and thought, “Hmmmm, if I get up now, I can go to the coffee shop for a leisurely cuppa before I go to knit.” It didn’t take much to convince me and before I knew it, I was up and out the door, bag in hand with my current project as well as a stack of my “show and tells”. I brought my new book along and read over coffee. That always makes me feel mellow and ever so cosmopolitan. The yarn shop opens at 11:00. I walked in the door at three minutes after and there were already three women seated around the table.
Introductions were made and I settled in with my knitting. The conversation quickly returned to the topic being discussed when I entered. I smiled and thanked God for sending His Holy Spirit to direct me where I needed to go. Why? Because the topic of discussion was…grief. Two of the women were talking about Grief Share, a faith-based grief support group that meets in churches everywhere. I was a guest speaker at a Grief Share meeting one winter in Colorado.
We all experience grief at one time or another during our lifetimes, but every woman sitting at that table was bereaved. After a bit, I shared what I do…that I am a grief writer and mentor. One of the women had heard of my blog, which isn’t terribly surprising since we were sitting in my hometown and there are a large number of readers here simply because they know me. So, maybe we have a mutual friend.
More women joined us till we had a total of seven, I believe. Just the right size group to get to know each other a bit. We each showed off what we were working on. Some went off in search of a new pattern or a new yarn. There is a bargain bin up front and I bought some warm brown yarn to make some winter hats for the guys in my life. I worked on the little yellow baby sweater that I’ll hopefully deliver to our newest great grandson soon.
Before we knew it, the time had come to be on our way. I ran some errands, picked up salads for supper, and headed home by late afternoon. As I drove back home through the countryside, I thanked God for His infinite wisdom, knowing exactly where I can contribute my skills and sending me there. His timing is impeccable.
The weather was sunny and warm…a portent of what’s to come. Springtime in West Virginia. Yesterday was the beginning of “meteorological spring” while “astronomical spring” doesn’t begin until March 20th. If that’s the case…yesterday didn’t disappoint with a high of 67° according to the thermometer on my truck! Bring it on…I’m more than ready!!!
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“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:4 ESV