Preparing the way

Making a quilt takes al kinds of preparations: choosing fabric, choosing a pattern, making sure your blades are sharp, cutting the pieces, stringing the thread, making sure your machine is in working order, changing needles, warming up the iron, etc. Whenever you start a new project there are always the different planning and preparation steps to go through, before you can start working on the actual project.
During the advent season we prepare our hearts and homes to receive , again, the Christ child and we can think of many things to prepare both places. Taking time away and alone to prepare my own heart is not always easy, but I find it helps me to welcome my Saviour in a new way each year.
Sewing a lot of little Christmas toppers to sell and raise money to help women across the world is one of those ways. It's a gift that gives three ways: to myself for the joy of making; to the receiver for the joy of the artwork; to women all over the world for the joys of education, health and hope. And I guess a fourth way is to God for the joys of sharing and love.