A few months ago, I ran across a book. At first, it was just another pattern book with tons of fabulous ideas. Then, I began to read it, and that is when I realized it was so much more than what I had originally thought.
I hadn't heard of prayer shawls before, but I was sold. It just figures that the first story I read involved a child with autism. Yep. It had me in tears, right there in the middle of our local Borders.
After countless visits, the book finally became mine. I had seen one pattern in particular that I wanted to modify and try on my own. And I recently became aware of someone close to me who could really use a prayer shawl of her own.
I won't "out" her here, since it's not my story to tell. All I can say is that creating prayer shawls is something I can see myself loving for years to come. It really is a different kind of experience.
While I don't feel comfortable sharing the recipient's name here (with all my gazillions of readers - ha!), I would like to share the prayer that accompanied the shawl.
This has been taken from the Shawl Ministry web site, and the author's name is listed in the title section.
This, my friends, is what it's all about:
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Prayer For Comfort © 2010 All rights reserved
By: Cathleen O'Meara Murtha, DW
As you wrap yourself in the prayer shawl of comfort...
May the Mother of Mercy, the Father of Faithfulness and the Spirit of Compassion
wrap you in their all-encompassing love this day.
May you find comfort
from all that appears too much to bear at this moment
from all that feels as if it might be the breaking point
from all that seems to threaten your peace of heart.
May this prayer shawl be
a shelter for time of overwhelming grief
a shade in times of sorrow too deep for words
a shield from times of unimaginable loss.
May you be comforted
by the presence of those who love and support you
by faith in the eternal Loving One
by the memories of what you hold most dear.
May you be strengthened
in your daily comings and goings
in your tentative new beginnings
in your unfolding new memories.
Blessings of the Angel of Comfort be with you and all you love now and forevermore.
