Potholders and Music
(although not necessarily together)

 

In the past few months, Miss T has perfected the art of making potholders. 

I remember making these on my dad's toy loom that

he preserved from his childhood

so obviously this is no new art form.

 

These loops are nylon and the specific warning is that they are

NOT to be used with hot pans because too much heat will

cause the holder to melt.

 

Maybe in the past these things were actually useful in the kitchen

but that time has passed away.

Instead, they have become useful in other ways:

*Fine motor skill development

*Color sorting

*Quiet time

*Concentration developer

*Patterning

*Color coordination

*Travel or church activity

 

I had never thought of weaving potholders as being a church service activity

that would help a child sit still and be quiet but Tiana proved otherwise.

One Sunday I looked past Rudy to where Tiana was sitting on the other side of him

and saw that she was busy weaving a potholder on her loom.

It struck me as funny and I started laughing

because who else would think of making pot holders in church.

Her bag was stuffed full of loops and she had some sorted into color piles on her lap.

Later, Bethany told me that it was the stillest that Tiana had ever been in church.

When the service was over, she had a nice blue and yellow holder that

was presented to a young lady for her future kitchen.

 

Last week I met a friend for lunch and while we chatted for two hours

Tiana sat quietly beside me and made potholders.

I figure that the benefit of quietness and stillness makes me perfectly

happy to buy her a bag of refill loops every few weeks. 

 

But what in the world will we do with all of these little squares?

She has made a few purses by sewing two squares together for each side.

We only need so many little purses.

Maybe a rug, or a doll blanket, or some other thing we have yet to dream up.

What matters is that this occupies her time and helps her be still

so I really don't mind if she makes hundreds of squares.

They are useful in just having been made.

 

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And the part about music....

 

 Every so often on Christian radio they encourage listeners to take the

30 day Christian music pledge. 

The listener pledges to only listen to Christian music for a month

and see if that improves their hearts and minds. 

When we hear that, we joke around to each other that we should take the pledge

knowing full well that Christian music is what we listen to anyways

(aside from The Piano Guys, Lindsey Stirling, movie soundtracks, and the such).

Maybe it is not such a joking matter since while in stores and the orthodontist's office

I was told, via music, that I was no longer loved and

that another had taken my place in his heart.

I was invited to stay the night,

and  then told that I needed to put my sexy on.

Those were probably mild examples of what is out there for our listening detriment

but it goes to show how many mainstream songs are unbeneficial to our spiritual growth.

Maybe the 30 day pledge is not such a bad idea after all.

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything

worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8