I've seen a lot of people this year talking about bravery on their blogs. Fear is a big issue because it keeps us from things we could be doing...things we were made to do! Sometimes you don't even realize that it's fear that's holding you back. In this month of spookiness where people often seek out things to frighten them, I thought it appropriate to talk about fear, bravery, strength and courage.
I am not brave. I am not strong. I am not courageous. Not on my own anyway. If I tell you that "I've got this", I'm just putting up a front, because this life, this work...it's scary at times.
More times than I can count, the words "Be strong and courageous" run through my head. They're from the Bible, in Joshua 1:9, and they are what I need to hear every day. But again, if this is just me trying to be strong and courageous, it wouldn't work. Which is why there's more to that verse:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
There is no need to fear when the God who created everything and loves you more than anything is with you. With this knowledge, I can be brave.
So, let's talk about this pattern.
First, I set it up with the new DMC colors in mind...very autumn, yes? If you can't find this new color set, you can easily swap in other similar colors or something else entirely. Not loving the leaves or maybe you want to have this be less seasonal? Leave them off when you transfer/stitch.
I couldn't just do part of the verse, but it's pretty long for a single hoop. So I split it over different sizes of hoops so you can make a grouping...or just stitch the parts you want! For framing in hoops, I recommend these sizes, in order of the parts of the verse, 5", 6", 6", and 8".
If you stitch this or any of my other patterns, I'd love to see! You can add them to my Flickr group, or tag them #olivestitching on Instagram or Twitter!
Thanks Mollie - needed that today! xx
ReplyDeletelove this. my word for the year is Strength. Pinning this to stitch
ReplyDeleteI love this! I think I will stitch it soon to put in my son's room! <3 Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this! Love this verse!
ReplyDeletethank you so much for sharing this today, both the post with your thoughts on this verse & the stitchery pattern. This is exactly what I needed today :)
ReplyDeleteThis is my son's bible verse for the month at his preschool! Love this design and I will definitely be stitching it up for his room. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your heart! I'm thankful that it is not MY strength, but HIS strength that I can lean on!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard the Sunday school song that goes "Be bold! Be strong! For the Lord our God is with you."? That gets in my head all the time. Thank you for the pretty pattern to go with it!
ReplyDeleteHi Mollie! Quick question for you, how do you store the embroidery thread after using just a tiny strand of it? Mine gets all tangled up, and I'm looking for a way to store them neatly. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI must confess, I often have tangled threads too...but these are my best solution for less tangle and remembering colors: Floss Bobbin Thread Organizer
DeleteLovely quotation!
ReplyDeleteNice. Tis so sweet.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I like this.
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful! I included the verse in my latest letter to my son in Marine Corps boot camp.
ReplyDeleteMollie,
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and I need not only the bravery reminder, but the get up and go to carry out God's plans for me. There is only so much time to waste!
Love your blog!
Sue
Girl, this is beautiful! Thank you so much...you'll never know just how many lives you are touching with the love of Jesus! Have a wonderful Sunday...God bless you!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely and perfect! Would you mind if I used this to make some sort of banner for my church? We've just started a study on Joshua. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this pattern, Mollie! Can't wait to stitch it!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I can't wait to stitch this up for our little one's nursery...in fact the nursery walls will be covered in patterns I've stitched up from your blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all your patterns. I am new to embroidery and your patterns have given me plenty of projects to keep me going for a while.
ReplyDeleteYES! So happy I asked! Thank you again, Mollie!
ReplyDeleteThank You so much. I needed this verse today.
ReplyDelete