Sewing… mowing grass…these are two things that I like to do for one reason.  Progress.  You can watch your progress. You can see something changing right in front of your eyes.

 

 

I began sewing when I was in Jr. High. I loved it so much, that I practiced and practiced and was able to make my own wardrobe for many years. I took classes to learn how to do the “tough stuff”. I spent hours in my room, picking up straight pins in the bottom of my foot. Hours staying up well into the night to complete a project.  I could watch something come from nothing  and change into something right in front of me.

 

 

 

Sewing starts with just pieces of fabric.  Pieces that don’t really look much like anything – there are some that you can tell what they will be, but there are also the pieces that are the “support structure” of the garment that really make no sense when you cut them out. It is important to follow the plan and piece the project together. As you go, there are things to trim, clip, cut away. Seams to be stitched and places where you have to wait to stitch them together until later in the project.  Then there is the pressing and steaming, to get the seams to lay flat. To get the support structure to stay where it belongs instead of being seen on the outside where it doesn’t belong. At some point, as you work, you begin to “see” just what this project is going to look like at its completion.  We decide to complete the project because of that glimpse.  And then it’s on – time to stay the course – time to finish the race-time to collect the prize.  It is in those hours, often late at night, that we see the end and bask in the glow of creation. I love it!  

 

 

People are much the same way.

 

Really.

 

From conception, where the pieces don’t look very much like a person, to growing up -when often we are working with the support structures in our lives and getting them to “stay where they belong”, you know those awkward years!  But lo and behold – soon there is a glimpse of who this person will be! Then comes the trimming, clipping of curves, and the pressing. Oh… the pressing! There are years where we think this part will never end.  That we will be “steamed” away!

 

But that will not happen!

 

We are being fitted together into the person we become.  One piece, snip, clip and press at  time.  

 

I think this is why I like people so well.  I have the opportunity to watch change happen in their lives.  I have the chance to be apart of that change. I can watch the progress take place as they grow into themselves.  This is why I am an extrovert – I get my energy from seeing these things take place in people.

 

Participating in this change does not come without a cost however.  Just like sewing, there were many times I had pins in my feet (I have to sew barefooted – it is how I best manage the speed of my foot pedal), or even the times I have actually sewn right through my index finger!  You should have seen the mess that created! Life “sticks” us with disappointment and discouragement. Then, there are the many times that while in construction, the work doesn’t fit quite right and we have to rip it out and redo that part.  That is much more tricky than the actual initial sewing.  These are the times we request a “do-over”. And never, take the shortcut – you will regret it later!

 

Life has its stick pins and seam rippers and the offers to go the easy way too. Don’t be tempted to stray from the project, simply because it becomes difficult at times. Stitch those seams, allow yourself to be clipped, trimmed and even pressed. And pressed some more. Because, the end result is a unique person – someone who has done the hard work of becoming something, becoming someone, just simply “becoming”. So stay the course, finish the race, and collect the prize.
Now… back to that “machine”….