Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Joy of Giving Ourselves


 

What do these crocheted slippers have to do with the Olympics, other than I crocheted them while watching the games? I’ll tell you at the end of this post. Don’t peek.

I used to meet with a group of fellow craft ladies, and we made simple gifts for shut-ins and nursing home residents. Every Christian has a deep need to help others, and if you can have a gab-fest and do something you enjoy—well, it doesn’t get much better than that.

As much fun as these gifts were to make, they were just an instrument to bring those of us who felt a need to help together with the lonely and sick. The real gift was the time we spent with those people who graciously received us. Knowing someone cared made them feel better, but I believe we who visited gained even more.  

This rush-rush world we live in has eaten away at that precious time to visit the sick and to give of ourselves to the least of these. But the need still exists, as does the desire to give of ourselves and share something we really enjoy.

Since I’m becoming a serious writer, I’m constantly looking for an opportunity to encourage reading and promote books. One way may be to give away used books to retirement and nursing homes, including audio books for those who can’t read. Most churches have outreach programs. Why not take a book to sick church members?

That’s what I was thinking about as I crocheted these slippers and watched figure skating. The pattern is easy-peasy and the slippers surprisingly warm. If you’d like the pattern, you can contact me at elainehmanders at gmail dot com.

The slippers not only keep feet warm, they glide as easily over hardwood floors as skates do on the ice. Yes, I admit I tried it. If I had the skill, I could do those twirls, loops, triples and quads. For that reason, I recommend you tack a non-skid strip on the soles if you give them to the elderly and infirm. But for a child or an adult as foolish as me, they’re a lot of fun.

How does your organization or church minister to the sick? Leave a comment with your email address and be entered for a chance to win the prize for this week, Guardian's Promise by Christina Rich.

8 comments:

  1. Your house shoes are lovely. I am in awe of people that can turn yarn or material into something beautiful and useful. The ladies where I attend church meet once a month to make turbans for ladies going through treatment for cancer. The turbans not only help in keeping a head warm, they help make a beautiful lady feel better.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. That's a great way to help those with a devastating disease. Our church has a group who makes cancer pads. I'm going to pass along the turban idea. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I love your crocheted slippers, Elaine! What a wonderful gift! I have a great-aunt that used to make house shoes for everyone each Christmas. As you said, they do make great skates. :) Our church ladies make turbans for cancer patients and also prepare meals for those who are sick, recovering from surgery, or have just had a baby.

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  3. Bringing in food to people in need is an old tradition, one I hope continues. I can't think of anything that would be more welcome if I was down.

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  4. We have a group in my church called Stitches of Love. We knit and crochet booties for the resource center,chemo hats for cancer patients, prayer shawls for anyone and houseshoes like yours. We also sew little girl's dresses to be taken to Haiti on a mission trip and stuff little bears. But it's also a great place to meet and fellowship. Right now, because I'm on deadline, I'm having to forego this months meetings but I'll be back!

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    1. Thanks for your ideas, Patricia. Mention of the bears reminded me of a project my office used to do. Dress and decorate teddy bears to give away at Christmas. We even had prizes for the best dressed. Stitches of Love sounds like a wonderful group.

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  5. This is a great idea. Makes me want to pick up the knitting needles again. What a blessing, cp.

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    1. Hi Piper,

      Knitting and crocheting can calm your nerves while waiting for word on your submittals. Thanks for stopping by.

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