Speaking of not sleeping — I went to Disciples, the current play running in the Lab Theater at Calvin. I recommend it without hesitation: it’s thematically rich, theologically deep, philosophically fascinating, dramatically arresting, emotionally captivating, etc, etc, etc… I was going to write something substantive about it for my other blog tonight, but clearly I got distracted. Oh well. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon, if I can sleep in that long.
Archive for January, 2006
Ahh, the joys of Interim break! I sat down at my computer at midnight and here I am, four hours later, with little to show for it except a few changes to my blog’s look. I updated the template to this new cool one called K2. I learned all about K2 and how to customize it. I made myself a series of header images from pictures I took last summer (mostly). I have them randomized, so if you refresh enough times you may get a new one. Let me know what you think. Next tasks: a flikr/gallery photo thingy on the side (take that, xanga!) and a few more cool tabs across the top (for my photo gallery site, my metikos.com blog, and maybe a few other things…). I guess it’s time to go to bed before I can’t sleep at all.
So now I have gotten myself hooked on knitting. And something tells me this might not be a temporary addiction. I really like how the craft has become a part of my life, filling those small moments of lost time. But even more than that, I love how knitting has become for me a way back into the practice of spiritual disciplines I’ve long neglected. Not only does knitting involve my mind and body, stretching my ability to learn challenging techniques or move my fingers in nimbler ways — knitting draws my heart and faith into life.
You may know that the past year or two has been a bit difficult spiritually for me. When I signed up for this class, I never expected knitting to become a way back into the habits of faith that so nourish my soul. But it has. And I am grateful. So when you see me knitting at home, at the bus stop, in lectures, in your apartments… then know that I am enjoying a craft that links communion and community together.
So, does anyone want to learn?
I wrote the following reflection for my Knitting Interim class this January.
My time in college has taught me that the regular practice of spiritual disciplines sustains my faith. Prayer and meditation orient my life toward God. Sabbath rest brings rhythm and cadence to my hectic life. Service stretches my faith out toward others. Worship nourishes me in the presence of fellow believers. These disciplines of faith, when practiced regularly, offer countless spiritual, social, and physical benefits. Knitting, I would argue, can function in similar ways, uniting faith to service, rest, meditation, and worship. Continue reading ‘Knitting and Spiritual Disciplines’
