Using Our Stash

I've been sewing costumes the last two weeks - costumes for a children's Christmas program. (You know the scenario - young children singing and playing the parts of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels and wisemen, with parents and grandparents looking on, beaming smiles and mouthing the words they've taught their little ones.)

To begin this self-imposed task, I found a pattern to fit multiple sizes. That was easy.

Then I hunted for the fabric I'd stashed throughout the house. This is fabric I've had for years - it's all good stuff, not cheap - and every piece has some emotional value attached.

So why haven't I used the stuff?

• There are only scraps - Years ago I made our children clothes and I've carted the left-over scraps from one house to the next, but never had a plan on what to make. Maybe I was apprehensive someone would notice the recycled fabric or that I wouldn't have enough to make an entire project, or more likely I wasn't quite ready to let go of the little pieces that had memories attached.
• My great ideas weren't so great - I've had brilliant ideas to create household decorations/window coverings/gifts, and then enthusiastically bought what I needed but... well.... never quite followed through...
• I didn't have a clue - Once upon a time I fell in love with a piece of fabric (or two... or ten) - it's color, or design or texture - and I never found anything worthy of it, or I didn't think I had the skill to make proper use of that gorgeous length of textile.

You know, after all these years, it's been a uniquely satisfying experience to finally create something using this stash.

Taking action to create a complete piece - to choose and combine the right fabric and colors for each costume from what is only in my stash - is exhilarating. My goal for this project was not to purchase, just use what I already have, and I'm feeling successful. Just finally using the stuff feels good.

Now, what does this have to do with encouragement?

Have you stashed away your encouragement?

Have you tucked it away, waiting for a better time, or more time? Have you withheld your encouragement because of emotional baggage- or just not made the effort because you don't feel like it ?

Perhaps you've not been supportive when you could've lent a hand. Or you've gotten too busy or you're just too tired to spend time - time in prayer for your spouse, or time spent listening to understand what's really going on in their heart and mind.

Do you believe your ideas aren't good enough - you're not educated enough, or creative enough to provide insight? Or do you fail to contribute when you could add value or offer a solution to a problem because you're being stubborn?

What if you've been too discouraged to hope - to unearth a bright ray of shining hope for yourself or your husband?

Are you tired of offering the same-old-same-old words? Do you think your spouse is tired of hearing the same-old-same-old and you just can't do it even one more time because it doesn't feel like it helped in the past so why would it help now?

What's happened to your encouraging words and actions? Are you encouraging your spouse? At all?

Here's what I learned while making these costumes with my "stash" that I'd been hoarding for multiple reasons. It relates to encouraging your spouse:

• Just do it. Take action. Bite the bullet. Reach out. Use what you have and don't be afraid of making mistakes. In the end it will be worth it - you'll feel good.
• Even the smallest bit adds value. Small things fill in the gaps. And with the gaps filled, the whole piece is improved.
• Look at the bigger picture. When you pay attention to the end product, you'll see how all the pieces can fit together. You'll become inspired and see that what you have will be enough.
• Old is good. By reusing left-overs, the past is made new.
• Satisfaction comes from action. Seeing what you've done with what you have feels good.

Come on -

you can do it again -

Encourage Your Spouse!