Creating Prayer in Work

Posted on Aug 7, 2012 | 4 comments

The first kaleidoscope quilt I made was created in honor of Ginger, the grandchild of a great and gloriously loved and loving couple in my parish. Ginger died of SIDS.

I called it The Ascension banner. It is displayed during the shortest season in our calendar year, the 10 days season between Easter and Pentecost.

With this quilt I learned that my work could become a form of prayer. As I sewed I worked hard to be mindful of every stitch. I spoke often with the Holy Spirit as I put each fabric piece into place — sometimes we debated together over the design and sometimes I grew fearful that I wasn’t listening hard enough, was being too headstrong, or would utterly fail and ruin my creation … our creation.

(I can be SO dramatic in my own mind sometimes!)

It was a journey, and not a smooth one, but it was an experience I will never forget and it was a great honor to take up the task.

The next kaleidoscope quilt I made was for Ginger’s grandmother, called Rhapsody in Blue.

rhap•so•dy (rāp’sə-dē)
1. Exalted or excessively enthusiastic expressionof feeling in speech or writing. 2. A literary work written in an impassioned or exalted style. 3. A state of elated bliss; ecstasy. 4. Music A usually instrumental composition of irregular form that often incorporates improvisation. 5. An ancient Greek epic poem or a portion of one suitable for uninterrupted recitation.

I hoped that as she wrapped herself in this quilt she would be comforted and feel she was held by God and well loved by all who know her — on earth and in heaven.

Today I am working on another kaleidoscope, Rhapsody on Fire. I started it in the fall of 2010, it has sat on my design wall — neglected, but not forgotten — since late November of 2010.

I started this quilt as an expression of the fire I felt burning within and of the light of the fires of courage that so many women in my life have shown me.

The kaleidoscope pattern itself symbolizes compassion to me. It calls me to walk into God’s loving embrace and immerse myself in His divine being. Because of that it is my all-time favorite pattern and I have yet to grow tired of it.

(I have another one that is still in pieces, one inspired by Rumi. Perhaps that one will be next … after this next one, of course.)

I have another kaleidoscope quilt in mind. This one in teals, greens and blues — colors of the oceans, lakes and streams, mountains, hills, and forests.

This quilt will be made for a dear friend, Beth, who has been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She needs God’s loving arms and needs to feel his loving embrace. Don’t you think?

Please help me, dear ones, to bring Beth before God in prayer. As you work at a task today, perhaps you could dedicate a portion of that work to Beth and to all who suffer the injustice that is cancer.

In Many Peaces,
♥km