Life is busy! No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, we can guarantee that there are lots of things vying for our time and attention.
A few years ago, my husband realized that while I did the things that were on my plate, I did them with more joy when I had time to go into my making room.
Do you have a making room? Since our move, my making room has been reduced to shared space in the laundry room but your making room may not be a room at all but a space and that is all that is needed to let your creative juices flow.
When I think of creating, I am often reminded of Proverbs 31:13…
“She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight.” (NASB)
Creating involves using our hands and we can do it with delight. I know, I just said that life was busy and now I want you to find more time. Trust me, there are many ways that we can create and not all of them take a lot of time.
The key is finding what works for you and what brings about delight in your heart. How can you take time to create?
COOKING/BAKING
Breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are served in all of our homes. Between television, cookbooks, and the internet you can plan your menu for a week or a month. How about taking time to try something different?
Cook a recipe that you have never made before, try a new ingredient/technique, make bread from scratch – the possibilities are endless.
If you don’t feel confident in your cooking skills, join an online cooking group. Each month the group works through a recipe and shares the results. Gather some girlfriends and form your own gourmet cooking club where you get together to cook and share techniques.
You will have created something tasty and you and your family will enjoy it.
SEWING
If you are like me, you didn’t take sewing in home economics class. Don’t let that deter you. Sewing classes are offered at most local craft stores and sewing stores and there are tons of resources on the internet via YouTube, blogs, and more.
Start easy with a pillow (can be hand sewn), move to a blanket, and as your skills develop so will the possibilities. Don’t limit yourself to the fabric in the stores, scour thrift stores for fabric – curtains, tablecloths, sheets, pillowcases can all be turned into great items.
Hand sewn gifts make great presents at Christmas, baby showers and birthdays. People appreciate that they are receiving something that is unique and that you took the time to make it for them. Moms – teach your children to sew. Yes, I said children…my dad sews better than my mom (just don’t tell my mom).
KNITTING/CROCHET
Who doesn’t like to snuggle up in a blanket? Many of us have blankets that our grandmothers or aunts made for us when we were little. It is never too late to learn how to knit or crochet.
Once again, the internet is full of great sites like Ravelry and YouTube videos that will aide each of us in this process.
Start small with dishcloths (bundled together make great gifts) and then branch out to a scarf and make your way to a blanket. It’s relaxing and it produces a warm finished product.
Like our Proverbs 31 sister, some may be able to take the works of their hands and sell them for profit. What a blessing that is for husbands and households.
KEYS TO REMEMBER
- Your first attempt may not be good, try and try again. By the way, your second may not either but keep at it.
- Don’t neglect your local library – we take our kids to the library for their book needs, don’t forget your own. There are books on all of the above and more that you can check-out. You may discover you like painting, photography, or to make jewelry, soap, candles, scrapbook layouts, silk flower arrangements, etc.
- Balance – just as all work is no fun, all play can lead to trouble.
- Listen to the creative stirrings inside you!
- Creating can be an act of worship that reconnects us to the heart of the Creator.
What’s one way you like to create?
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