Gatherings of Heart and Hands: Nurturing Friendships Through Crafting, Prayer, & Service

Guest Writer Gina Ellis

Gatherings and Hands

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Building relationships while serving others, to be fully present in the making and praying, fills a spot in the deep well of my soul. A longing is woven into a little girl’s lonely heart in a hospital room.  God sent a woman with eyes tender to see the hurt and need hiding behind the energetic 7-year-old.The weaving of God’s love and gifts entwined in my heart forever, while helping hands crafted a new friend in the form of a feathered puppet. 

This powerful moment marks  the beginning of the myriad of times this girl-woman heart has put  her hands to the work of crafting, prayer, and friendship. The memories float across the sky in my mind, these and countless more. Reminding me of the fullness of heart and soul that propels me to action again and again. 

Circles of mothers, praying and reading the bible while taking turns watching over the scramble of children playing nearby. Setting lunch tables of dinner leftovers, each bringing what they could and together mixing up something new. Hands patting boo-boos and heads of children running through a kitchen. Hands shoved into dishwater or folding towels and always ending wrapped around a bible while hugging each friend until next time. 

Friends gathered over snacks on a Friday night, crafting small tokens of love to give to others on retreat. Laughter-filled tears that birthed another language of comradery, echoes inside my rib cage upon remembrance.

A local park and a secret mission of art and prayer. As my hand wrapped around the brush that dolloped water and pigment onto squares of paper, my spirit prayed over the families on the playground-taking care to give special mention to the caregivers. A grandmother approaches,  her eyes light up. Then the grandson notices the set up, he can barely keep his hands to himself. Grabbing a brush before the invitation is complete, I smile and confirm to the woman he is welcome to use the supplies. He takes the brush, giant in his tiny hands, ever so gently and with great thought, begins to touch the paper. After the little one finished his creation and ran off, I invited his grandmother to pick up the abandoned brush. After a brief hesitation, she began considering and choosing the colors she liked. They were rich and vibrant. Her choices spoke of her private desire for a vibrant life that had dimmed. For several moments she lost herself in recovering her inner space, coming alive listening to her intuitive creativity. Surreptitiously sharing as she painted, the timidity and surprise of rediscovering herself. Selflessly, she had buried herself in the role of loving encourager to her daughter and a grandmother to a growing, tireless grandchild. This woman continued to bravely complete the strokes and fill in the paper squares with color, Finding herself again, she takes a full breath and finds her soul has come alive a little more..  

Our Souls Need Connection

Even now, as an older and supposedly wiser woman, I find myself searching for the friendship my heart desires. Like this grandma at the park, I have been hesitant to reach out to new opportunities of  connection. I am picking up the paintbrush timidly but courageously. I intentionally make time to travel and  meet the women who have made space for me. They have helped carry me through the isolation and growth of the last few years welcoming me into community through the technology of screens. These lovely, generous spirits that held space and grace for my curious mind have breathed life into my soul. 

These lovely, generous spirits that held space and grace for my curious mind have breathed life into my soul. 

Gina Ellis

When I’m in their full life presence, my soul flutters in astonishment. My brain struggles to piece together the dimensions of their bodies while weaving in  the depth of both human and divine relationship. The awkwardness tries to linger until that one look. The one of surprised joy, that says, another piece of the divine mystery had fallen into cracks inside my soul. Magnetically that realization draws us together. She leans in to hug, tears prick our eyes, watering a little shoot of friendship freshly taking root. Our embrace ends and my friend cuts the bounty of produce as she prepares to physically nourish a table full of hungry, brave souls. 

These examples, that to some may seem like chance encounters, are for me the goodness of God sprinkled in to enrich my life. I see that the connections are divine gifts that are sent to show me the beauty of life through others.  This year in particular there seems to be a shimmering of magical, ethereal stardust permeating our brief connections. When we come together as sisters we forgo shaking hands and practice prayer instead. We allow each other to shoulder crushed dreams and provide space to tell our stories of survival as testimony of His goodness again. Poetry and song—words, music, and art intertwine our hearts in an embrace not just of the souls being known but of the Spirit revealing his presence through the other. We sit and immediately hold hands to pray. Although, at times we were surprised by the familiarity, like a practiced dance with the divine we find our rhythms. We look into each other’s eyes and grin like youthful schoolgirls. This feels both familiar and like it’s a new beginning of a different way to live. 

Dr. Curt Thompson says, “ We are all born looking for someone looking for us.” I can remember that in my 7 year old soul but also saw it in the eyes of the circles of moms longing for connection. I sensed it in the laughter over snacks and in the strokes of grandmother’s paint project at a park. But mainly it has been emanating from my soul, the persistent search to be truly known. So, at times unsure that I could have deep meaningful connections, I have hidden. Fighting to take brave steps and to make space for connections that are at times unconventional. 

 “ We are all born looking for someone looking for us.”

Dr. Curt Thompson

As I have written, I have felt my soul exhale. I am more aware of what to look for. I am no longer just looking around wondering if anyone is looking for me. I am looking at the eyes of the ones who have found me and in turn have also found themselves. I have found myself. I see now that I am the goodness He has sprinkled into others’ lives. I get to show others that they are a special gift that has opened up for me a new facet of God’s likeness.

 May I invite you to come alongside me and  bravely step out of our comfy yet lonely spaces. Instead, let’s hold each other’s hands and gather together. Can we have ears to listen to the Spirit directing us?  Will you join me in honoring each other with presence as we hold each other’s hands and dreams tenderly, knowing that He holds us steadfast in His hands after all.

Will you join me in honoring each other with presence as we hold each other’s hands and dreams tenderly, knowing that He holds us steadfast in His hands after all.

Gina Ellis

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A Simple Charcuterie Guide

What a perfect time to start honing your charcuterie skills! I have just the right thing to help you feel ready and confident while you gather. I created this simple and beautiful charcuterie guide for you. In my opinion it’s cute enough to display and then it would always be available for you! Plus, I am always honored to offer you practical content for purposeful and life giving time around the table. Check it out by clicking on the graphic below!

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