FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS

                                                                 Saturday, July 02, 2011 9:47:41 AM

      II Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me. In faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (King James version.)
        -A devotional that I read has it worded a little different-
 "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching with faith and love in Christ Jesus." New Version
As I was reading this, I was transported back in time to a place that wasn't fun for me. Freshman class in high school, my mom had died and my depression was taking it's toil with me and school work. I am referring mainly to Mrs. Wyrick's Home Economics I. I thought I wanted to learn to sew. Just couldn't follow all the directions. Made many mistakes and in the end, I failed this class. A rule in our school was if you failed, you would have to make it up before your senior year. Failed the entire freshman class, so it was a "do over." When I finally reached my sophomore year, I thought it might be time to repeat this class. What a big difference my maturity had taken me in following directions. Passed this class with a breeze and went on to number II. I had advanced in my sewing so I made a garment that I could wear to school. At our fashion show that year, I received great reviews from my fellow students and well as the teachers. It wasn't any thing fancy, just a skirt and vest with a matching blouse. I had used a material with all the fall colors, bright orange with many shades of rust, red and brown. Light and dark gold, and stripes of amber and yellow, so I looked like a walking rainbow except for the blue. I followed every little detail of the pattern and instructions from my teacher. I made an A+ and at my age of 67, I still remember the feeling when my dad saw the project. I had been after him to buy me a sewing machine to use at home instead of traveling to Aunt Josie's house everyday just to sew on her machine. Now he told me the reason I had not received this gift from him. He wasn't sure that I would keep up with this endeavor. I had not followed through on many things that I just knew that I could do. Wasn't old enough or mature enough to have a staying power. So after this, he went to Sears and bought a little Singer portable. It had all the major attachments and I used it for many years making all my clothes. I continued to make clothes for my children and even learned to make quilts on a machine. God knew I could do this but I wasn't ready to persevere. Funny how GOD teaches his children just like our parents teach and help us grow to be the people they wants us to be. My dad was a wonderful person and he helped me even tho I gave him a lot of heartache through my teenage years.
Every time I pick up a pattern now, I remember those classed and how many projects I have made over the years. One is a cloth doll dressed in Christmas clothes that sits under my Christmas tree. Every year, it reminds me of learning by following all the instruchions from our parents and GOD.