A Special Gift

A special gift—there are two parts to this idea that I want to discuss in this post. The first is epitomized in the image above of a bookmark I cross-stitched for my husband, Jason. It is the most complex bookmark I have made to date. I would guess that it took me around 15 hours to make the bookmark. So why did I do it? Number one, because of my love for my husband. He wanted a bookmark I had made, and that design caught his fancy. So, I made it for him. Most of the things I have cross-stitched over the years I have made for and given to friend and family I love. The second reason I spent all that time and effort making that bookmark for my husband is that I love cross-stitching.

I first remember being introduced to cross-stitching at a youth group activity when I was twelve. We were given a pattern, embroidery floss, and cloth. I loved it and was excited to complete it. I even tried to work on it as we moved across country. However, somewhere along the way, it fell to the side and got a grease stain on the cloth and pattern. So, I stopped working on that project. Later on, throughout my teenage years, I picked up cross-stitching projects from time to time, but I usually didn't finish them.

Fast forward a few years until 2007. I was living at home for a semester and spending lots of time with my new friend Jenn. Lucky for me, she not only knew how to cross-stitch well, but she was also working on some cross-stitching projects. So, I decided to take up cross-stitching again. Her help whenever I hit a snag and advice on better ways to do things is really what kept me from giving up. By the end of the semester I had cross-stitched Christmas gifts for each member of my family (a few of them are pictured below) and had come to truly love cross-stitching.

A special gift—the second part of this idea that I want to write about centers around talents. We have all been given talents of all sorts and kinds. As a teenager, I refused to acknowledge the fact that I had gifts and talents, even though deep inside I knew that I did. I now acknowledge my talents, but often disparage them by pointing out that I have not developed them as much as others with similar talents have. However, I think doing so is a bit of a disservice to myself and to others. I don’t think I should be prideful about my talents, and I should recognize areas I can improve in. But I think the quote below expresses very well what I want to say on this subject.

I hope through this blog to develop and share my talents—the unique combination I have been blessed with. And hopefully through sharing my talents I can bless the lives of others and encourage them to develop and share their talents.