Sundance and I have been spending a lot of time together lately, I am determined that, through practice, I will become a better quilter. I gaze at all of the seemingly perfect quilting; amazing workmanship, that is pictured all over the blogosphere and in the quilt shows and exhibitions and am inspired... but, honestly, overwhelmed at the same time. I can't help but feel that I am falling short. Yesterday, as I quilted around yet one more doggie I looked long and hard at the precious bowl that was riding along on the quilt top as I worked. It is lightweight and smooth, a bowl handmade from Maple by my husband; it has become one of my favorite longarm companions as it is the perfect vessel to hold my clipped threads as I work. And yet, although I find it perfect it was rejected by Mr. Goodneedle because of a flaw. It had cracked along one side after he turned it, he repaired the crack but the "patch" bothered him and he set it aside. Now, it's mine! Isn't this what Paul preached to the Romans in chapter 3, verse 23; "since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"... isn't this bowl, flaws and all, just like us? What is true perfection and who is the judge?
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Romans 3 verse 24 goes on to say: "they are justified by his grace as a gift"...
It all comes down to grace. I'll continue to work on improving my quilting stitches and on myself, I have faith that I can get better and a new understanding that my idea of perfection simply isn't attainable. I'll never be perfect, nor will my quilts, and that's okay... there's value there. How do I know?
A little bowl, salvaged by grace, serves to remind me!
Life is Good!
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