The Whole Point

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Pray, sisters! The whole point of this calling to wear a head covering is for prayer. If it becomes about something other than prayer, then we, as Christians, are missing the point. Scripture teaches us to "pray without ceasing". This is very hard to do. There are so many distractions. Lately I've been blessed to be working a lot in my sewing corner, and this is my perfect job because I can pray while I work. I don't like to talk or write much about prayer, though, because prayer ought to be done in secret. But for some reason, the urge to write this post won't leave me alone.

Prayer can take a heart and make it soft. The Jesus prayer is an ancient Orthodox Christian prayer that is ideal to pray while doing household chores "O Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!" This, while scrubbing the dishes...again. This, while rotating laundry...again. So much of my life is lather, rinse, repeat. So why shouldn't I add the Jesus prayer to my thoughts? It has been helpful in allowing me to grow up and accept this aspect of domesticity. Sometimes while I'm washing something I remember the Psalm: "purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter then snow." This transitions nicely back into the Jesus prayer.

Prayer can redeem a broken heart and heal it. Is there a person who has hurt us in the past? Well, whenever that person comes to mind, instead of ruminating in bitterness and hurt, lift that person up to the Lord. Ask God to have mercy on that person. Ask God to bless that person, and draw that person closer to Himself. And in so doing, a broken heart can be healed. Rejection no longer matters, perhaps. Distance, time and loss (perhaps we are missing a loved one) are done away with. God is everywhere present and fills all things. And we can pray!

Prayer can draw us into the presence of God because when we choose to pray, we are taking a step. But really, I think God takes the first step, even then, and we are just responding when we say "yes" to that gentle Holy Spirit-nudge to pray. Oh, how often I ignore that still, small voice! Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner!

There are so many ways to pray. Other than morning prayers and evening prayers, there's so much more: There's free prayer, where our thoughts about a person, an event, or whatever, becomes prayer as we turn what we are thinking about over to God. There's the Jesus prayer that I already mentioned. There's adding structure to one's day by praying the hours. I'm not consistent with that, but I want to be. There's putting in a recording of worship music while one is working, or perhaps a recording of the Psalms. Traditionally the Psalms are the Church's prayer book. I love to listen while I work.

But always, always God. Always turn your heart to God. Always lift up the concerns of the day to God. Always, always be His handmaiden.

That, I think, is the point.

But it is good for me to draw near to God;I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.
Psalm 73:27-28

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you

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A New Snood

Hi gang, I ordered a VERY soft and comfy snood from Under There on etsy. I like it a lot! If you are looking for a soft and "barely there" feeling snood that offers total hair coverage, you should consider this etsy store. Some of you might know the crafter, as she is our own beloved Anna from Veiled Glory!

Etsy Shop! (Rhymes with Betsy Bop)

Hi Gang! I finally, at long last, have an etsy shop!!! The address is: FreeToCover.etsy.com

I only have one item listed so far, but will list more tomorrow.

Please, if you are shopping for head coverings, please think of my site and buy from me. I'd like to purchase a house and a few acres someday. The money I earn is for the down payment, in addition to whatever we can scrape together to save out of our normal budget. See, I have this daughter who is likely to be living with us for many years to come. She's got Autism. And she is MADE to grow things. Plant things. We need a place where she can do that. Being on Disability does not afford a disabled person such a lifestyle. And besides, who knows if there will even BE "Disability". It seems more "gospel" for families to take care of their needy. So, we are thinking, dreaming and planning and hoping and praying and starting to save for the long term. This little etsy shop is a very small step in that direction.

So that's what your money is going to support.

And if you don't see what you want or like, I will be MORE THAN HAPPY to make you a custom item. Today I was busy sewing a "bible times" costume for a customer who is teaching in a Vacation Bible School next week. And yesterday I worked on a special order of a brown lace mantilla. So, I do like to stay busy.

God bless!

More Headcoverings

Today I have Mantillas and some plain short snoods to show you!

Lace edged ivory lace mantilla--$20.00 (lace is so expensive!)

Rolled edged hem, large ivory lace D shaped mantilla-$12.00

Small black lace mantilla with rolled edge hem-$10.00

Black lace mantilla head covering with lace edging-$20.00

These plain black cotton short snoods were made for a custom order. If you want anything that I sew in a custom fabric, please let me know what color you'd like and I can make it for you. 2/$25.00 (What a deal!)

Loneliness

I'm feeling that odd feeling that I often get on Sunday evenings...a feeling of loneliness. We've just been at Church and shared the Eucharist with the Lord and with many brothers and sisters in the Lord, and yet the rest of the day yawns empty and strange...just us, when I SO long for fellowship with kindred spirits, sisters in Christ who can laugh and share, and who would eat my food and whom I would welcome at my table. I long for a place large enough and expansive enough to share hospitality, a place of openness and verdure...sigh.

It would be so nice to fellowship with likeminded Christians in the flesh sometimes, and not just online.

But honestly, I think my family scares people away. Between my gimpy fibromyalgia-ness, and the Autism spectrum issues that various ones have, my husband's quiet disposition etc, we are just alone so much of the time.

Well, the Lord knows all of our needs and he will provide for them in His time.

I did some sewing today. Mantillas. Pictures coming soon. One was a special order, but I had materials for three more.

Here's a nifty quote on Simplicity of Dress...among other things

I have heard from elders experienced in the practice of the virtues that evil thoughts are engendered in the soul by showy clothes, the belly's repletion and bad company.

St. Theodoros the great ascetic

Need Some Tips...Please!!!!

My head covering drawer is a MESS! And I don't really know how to organize all the scarves, snoods, hats, kerchiefs, bandanas that I've accumulated and/or made. And believe it or not, I have fairly recently cleaned out and purged. I guess it comes with the territory of being a seamstress, and being able to whip out various and sundry head covering things at the--bwahahaha, pardon the pun---drop of a hat.

So, I'm thinking about one of those door hanger pocket "shoe" organizers. Would that help? It might be a start. Because I get so sick of hunting and having vast piles of scarves et. al. dripping, drooping, and draping themselves out of a drawer that won't shut all the way because it is too full.

How do you organize YOUR head covering wardrobe????? Got any tips for me?????

Headcoverings that I made to sell

These will appear on Etsy (unless I sell them here first, hint hint) as soon as I can figure out all the rigamarole involved in doing taxation correctly, etc. Meanwhile, I'll post them here for your perusal.

Closeup of deep yellow print.

Deep yellow with white print fan fold head covering. $12.00

Multi colored ditsy print short snood $16.00


Dark blue print fan fold head covering $12.00


Light brown fan fold head covering. $12.00


Bright spring green with white swiss dots short snood. $16.00



Fabric closeup of multi colored ditsy print


Fan fold multi-colored ditsy print head covering. $12.00


White with print fan fold head covering $12.00


Dark blue mottled short snood $16.00


Light brown short snood $16.00



Beige print fan fold head covering. $12.00

Newsflash

I've been busy sewing snoods (my own design) and fan fold coverings and mantillas. I will be opening an etsy shop soon.

I'm sewing these out of some stash fabrics I have, but I would like some feedback from you, my readers, on what styles I should make in the future, what you'd like to see.

What's your favorite style of head covering?

How can I help you get what you need?

My etsy shop does not exist yet, but rest assured, I'll have it all over this page when it does open.

God bless you.

Puffyheart LOVE!