Craft Weekend

This is what the Lord says:

"Stand at the crossroads and look;

ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

and you will find rest for your souls." 

Jeremiah 6:16

Oh, what a good weekend it has been...

We have come to a small town in northern Kansas (yes, Kansas) to an old house on the corner of an street lined with other old, porch-fronted houses, where the trees have grown large and the leaves are turning to brilliant gold and beginning to litter the neat, moderately-sized front lawns, where the sidewalks are cracked but not abandoned by the occasional family out for a stroll or neighborhood kids on bikes, and where 16 women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s have come to rest.

Well, actually, we have officially come to Craft. This is the Craft House, after all, and it is an amazing haven of beauty and creativity and space for the imagination to flourish. Many of my friends have spent the weekend sewing and beading and drawing and embroidering, but I have come to refuel through that simple, old-as-time (but tricky as heck) practice of Rest.

The beds are all twin-sized and quilt-laden, but as adorable as they may be, I cannot sleep on them without the irrational fear of rolling off (I normally sleep in a king-sized bed, People), and so my body feels a little achy in that way I did in college after an all-nighter writing papers, but my soul has found rest.

My soul has rested in the presence of friends and laughter and crazy stories and exciting announcements. 

My soul has rested in the mesmerization of watching Artistic People really Do Their Thing. 

My soul has rested in the refreshing prairie breezes and the music of the wind in the trees. 

My soul has rested in an antique store filled with wonders and a thrift store filled with great steals. 

My soul has rested in time to read, and in time to write. 

My soul has rested in time to sit, in time to shower, in time to not shower and in time to not check the clocks. 

My soul has rested in deep conversation and in sharing with a dear friend all the solutions to all the problems of the universe. 

My soul has rested in the joy of new friends and deeper relationships with old friends. 

My soul has rested in texted pictures from home of three happy kids in amazing costumes that their dad pulled together all by himself. 

My soul has rested in working on a photo book of this summer's New York City adventure, and in showing indulgent friends here silly picture after silly picture that my sisters and I took of ourselves. 

My soul has rested in not having to cook but certainly not going hungry. 

My soul has rested.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever. 

Give thanks to the God of gods.

His love endures forever. 

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:

His love endures forever. 

to him who alone does great wonders,

His love endures forever.  

who by his understanding made the heavens,

His love endures forever. 

who spread out the earth upon the waters,

His love endures forever. 

who made the great lights—

His love endures forever. 

the sun to govern the day,

His love endures forever. 

the moon and stars to govern the night;

His love endures forever. 

He remembered us in our low estate

His love endures forever. 

and freed us from our enemies.

His love endures forever.

He gives food to every creature.

His love endures forever. 

Give thanks to the God of heaven.

His love endures forever. 

from Psalm 136