April 26th, 2010
Baby Steps…
Today my daughter finished her school work early, and I had promised her that if she finished early, we would start on her longstitch. We bought this longstitch for her about three years ago, and it has taken me all of that time to pluck up the courage to be able to start it.
If you have been told all of your life that you can’t do anything, you’ll never amount to anything and that you’re no good, then you’re set up for failure your whole life, and your confidence takes a very real battering. It takes a lot of determination and trust, both in God and in self to break out of that whole cycle of self-doubt, but that is exactly what I have done (through God) today.
By doubting self, I was doubting God and His ability to change me, and also doubting the promise in His Word that says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. I have taken hold of that promise, and today my daughter and I started on that longstitch – it wasn’t easy, as I have never been taught how to do anything in the way of stitch work, but we managed to make a start on it, and I feel good. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
How can I tell our children that they can do all things through Christ which strengthens them if I dare to doubt what He says in His Word? I can now look them straight in the eye and tell them that they can do all things through Christ which strengthens them, knowing that I have walked the path of trust first.
We thoroughly enjoyed tackling the starting of this project, and it has given me a degree of self God confidence, knowing that I can do things that I haven’t tried before. I have taught my daughter how to do it, and she has now taken over, with me supervising. My daughter did all of the brown area, and I’m so happy, and so is she. We just need to have the confidence to take that first baby step…
I am a daughter of the King of Kings, seeking to live a godly life and mirror the love of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Looking good. That will be beautiful when it is all done. Congratulations to you both.
Hi Ruby,
Thank you. I am really looking forward to my daughter completing it, with supervision this time. I have told her that I will buy her another one when she completes this one.
Have a great week,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
I love the Peter Rabbit ~ it matches your husband’s cup!
I have done a few long stitches myself, and the cross stitch ones too. No one ever taught me either, but I decided to tackle it anyway. It is a good feeling when you put your mind to trying something new, and then seeing the finished product.
Your daughter has done a great job so far!
love,
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Yes, it does – my daughter is keen on Peter Rabbit, too.
Wow, clever you! I haven’t tackled cross stitch, either, but after this, I might just try.
Thank you – I shall pass on your positive affirmation to my daughter. She will be so happy.
Love and blessings,
Jillian ♥
I’ve never done anything like that. My girls know how because my neighbor taught them but I don’t have the patience or the desire! I started a hook rug while in high school and I still don’t think I’ve finished it. So much for perseverance!!
A hope chest is a trunk or wooden chest that you put your hopes and dreams in for your future {hopefully} married life. Needle point, quilts, dishes, cookbooks, baby clothes, very special baby clothes, things like that. Maybe some favorite poems or stories. Just things you think are special and want with you when you move on from your parents’ home!
Have a wonderful week.
tricia
We love Peter Rabbit…..My daughter says when she has her babies she will have a Peter Rabbit nursery.
It’s beginning to look wonderful, I can’t wait to see the finished product.(((hugs)))
Katia
Hi Tricia,
I’m so happy that I’ve had the determination to be able to help my daughter with her longstitch. Our nearest neighbour is 1.8 kilometres away.
Hmmm – I think that I might start a Hope Chest for my daughter, too.
Thank you for telling me about this very special item.
Have a wonderful and blessed week,
Love Jillian ♥
Hi Katia,
We love Peter Rabbit, too.
My daughter has done lots more today on the longstitch.
Have a wonderful week,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
Good on you Jillian for doing this! It was a big hurdle for you but with His grace you have overcome! You deserve a big award:)
Hi Rosemary,
*blushes*
Thank you.
Have a wonderful week,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
This is a lovely post Jillian.
I am a bit (lot) like this too…lack confidence, but I have been forcing myself to do things that I would normally think I can’t do. I love the feeling of ‘yes’ I can do….
My dad used to always say to me “there is no such word as can’t, until you have tried.”
xTania
Hi Tania,
I’m glad that I’m not the only one who lacks confidence, and I really had to force myself to try this longstitch. After all, I didn’t want my daughter to end up like me, unable to do any stitchwork, and to have an inferiority complex.
I feel really good that we have managed to work this out.
Have a wonderful week,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥