About 2 months ago, an ad came across my screen on Facebook for a local business in my area. The business, Gather Marketplace and Studio, offers classes throughout the month that include paint ‘n sip, making succulent wreaths, macramé, knitting, and even painting your furniture. It looked super cute and fun, and after checking with Peyton, I enrolled us in a Saturday morning “Arm Knit a Scarf” class.
For you knitters out there, I applaud you. I’m insanely jealous of the talent it takes to know where to go over and under and what goes through which confusing hole of string. It’s a gift that I’ve attempted a couple of times which has always resulted in a stunning store bought blanket being given to a sweet infant.
This style of arm knitting seemed more our speed, and we embarked on the hour and a half journey to making a scarf. At first we had a hard time catching on. However, after some brief trial and error we ended up with a beautiful product.
As Peyton got into the first few stitches, there were some misunderstood directions given (by me to her) to which she told me that if it got ruined, it would be my fault! Luckily, about 15 minutes later as she was arm knitting at the speed of light, she looked over at me and said, “Mom, I’m killing it!”
One of the other ladies that was participating in the class giggled and asked if it was always my fault if things weren’t going well. “Definitely!” was my reply….if it’s going badly, it’s my fault. If it’s going well, she’s a rock star and it had nothing to do with me!
Anyone else have a child like that?!
There are many times I wonder if I’m doing this parenting thing right. The teenage years are often packed with drama-filled days, feelings of insecurity, and tumultuous friendships. There are days when your children are riding high on the joys of being a child. Then there are days where nothing you can say or do will be able to console them from the tears they shed because of someone’s mean comments or the struggle of grades in school.
I’m often asking God why He can’t just fix it and make it better, then backtracking and reminding myself that God is there in the middle of the struggle. I don’t have to worry about whether He sees the pain. He’s trying to take it off our shoulders. If only we’ll let Him.
Psalm 29:11 speaks to me in this time of my life. “The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.”
I don’t have to create this strength to endure the struggle. It comes from Him. And with the strength He gives during this time of raising kids, He provides a peace that passes all understanding. I can rely on Him to cover me and my children with that peace that I so desperately seek.
Parenting will always have its ups and downs. But my faith in God allows me to lay those ups and downs at His feet and trust that He’s weaving a beautiful story in my and my daughter’s life. Just like that perfect scarf Peyton made!
What do you struggle with when it comes to your kids? Share at the porch and know you’re not alone!
~Erin
Iron Porch 
I didn’t know about arm knitting, Looks great! Knitting a beautiful creation. God created us and we can show His love through sharing things like creating through knitting. 🙂
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