We’re heading, perhaps reluctantly, into the final part of the year - and we all know where that leads us!
Yes, as evenings become darker, I am drawing up a plan for the upcoming season (which shall not be named!)…
But before we get too involved in that, I shall just take a moment to reflect on something…
I was listening to somebody speak recently and it was around Matthew 6. It’s a scripture many of us will be familiar with, I am sure:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
I don’t think I am a ‘worrier’ especially. Perhaps some may say I am but it’s not a label I outwardly wear, I don’t think. But I am prone to mulling things over a lot and wanting to always do things better, or to be better. I’m sure there’s some good in that, but it hides a shadow side of discontentment and perfectionism.
In the process of trying to continually better myself, especially with Poema but in many other respects also, I can always be on the lookout for ideas, changes or improvements I could make or things I can learn in order to do things better. And if I’m honest, it can get a bit exhausting. There’s a wealth of information out there that takes me down rabbit warrens of business insight, jewellery courses, marketing advice - honestly, the list is seemingly endless.
As I was listening to the speaker’s insight into the passage of scripture, I was reminded once again of the simplicity with which the natural world around us approaches life. It’s true, the birds do not plant or harvest, or study business models, or market their products, or study analytics of how they are performing, or figure out how to make their products better.
The sermon was encouraging us to channel our energy into growing into Jesus’ likeness, much like animals and plants channel their energy into their physical growth and development. Single-mindedly and with determination. They simply focus on one or two things like finding food, shelter and a partner and their day is pretty much sorted!
I felt a the nudge of a question, “What does my own growth look like at the moment?” I won’t dwell on my personal spiritual growth here but it did also make me question where I see growth, or potential growth, for Poema? Whether that is a tangible growth in the business sense or growth with Jesus, as that is at the heart of Poema.
I have an abundance of aspirations and intentions and can quickly find myself wanting to pursue ALL of them, generally resulting in not having a definite direction or getting anywhere quickly.
My recent holiday gave me time to think and reflect on the amount of ‘advisory voices’ I was trying to fill my mind with, so I think perhaps God was preparing me for this question!
The answer ought to be to channel my energy more wisely and reduce the number of rabbit warrens I am exploring and getting lost in! To focus my energy in fewer areas, which tends to lead me into overwhelm, discontentment and procrastination. And definitely draws me away from God’s heart for Poema.
N.B. I work effectively with accountability and my default is to assume I can do E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, so you have full permission to ask me how this is going when you see me!
Anyway, back to my plans for ‘that time of year’.
I have a few dates for your diary. Poema jewellery will be available at the following events:
Saturday 2nd November - 10am-12pm - Open House
Saturday 16th November - 10am-12pm - Open House
Friday 22nd November - 7-9pm - St Paul’s Christmas Craft Fair, Bursledon
Sunday 24th November - 1-4pm - Colden Common Winter Fair
Saturday 30th November - 10.30-2.30pm - Bishopstoke Park Christmas Fair
If there is something specific you would like me to make as a gift for Christmas, please get in touch as soon as possible please. I will have time through October and early November, but after that I will be unable to take on new commissions. Last date for commissions is Monday 4th November.
During November and December I will be completing commissions and selling jewellery pieces I have in stock, right up until Saturday 21st December.
Feel free to find me at any of the events listed above or contact me directly - I’d love to help you find gifts for your friends and family (or maybe for yourself?!)
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