Hardship has a spiritual component. Insert prayer.

We all know that in this life, shit happens. Its unavoidable and we don't know what lies beyond the horizon. Question is, will it rock our faith in God or are we prepared?

The South Coast. Image: Julian Carter

In the book of John, chapter 18, Jesus is arrested and sent for interrogation to the Jewish high priest. Thus begins the pointy end of his ministry. Knowing this was coming (verse 4), what did Jesus do? He prayed. John records a prayer Jesus prayed for himself, his followers at the time and everyone who would believe in him in the future. For our unity, that we would be aligned with him in God.

The book of Luke records Jesus pouring out his stress to God (chapter 22, verse 44) in the place where he often went to pray, a mountain of olives. He asks that God might prevent him from having to go through torture on a cross and banishment from his beloved Father - into Hell itself. But Jesus finishes the prayer asking what God wants him to do and reasserting that he will go along with whatever God decides (v. 42b).

Jesus' disciples were exhausted from grief (v. 45) - who wouldn't be if their mentor and whom they believed to be God said he was leaving them (v. 20) and that they would even desert him (John ch. 16 v. 32)? But this trial, this hard time, was going ahead and the disciples needed to prepare for it. How? "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation" (Luke 22:16). But it was too late because as Jesus was still speaking an armed crowd moved in to take Jesus.

During the hours that followed Jesus stuck to his purpose with strength and poise. His disciples scattered and one denied knowing him (see John 18 or Luke 22). They buckled, not having drawn from the wellspring of enabling that is in God.

I wonder what I would have done. Even if I'd prayed in that olive grove, would my heart and head have been able to stay open to God's empowering? We are encouraged by the teacher Paul in letters he wrote to the early church to pray continuously (1 Thessalonians 5:17), on all occasions (Ephesians 6:18), so that we might stay alert. Its not talking about some kind of anxious plea, waiting in hyper-vigilant fear for the next knock. The prayer Paul exhorts us to involves cultivating an attitude of cheerful gratitude throughout our lives (1Thessalonians 5:16-18). And also to feel strong and be strong because we are aligning ourselves with our maker and applying what he offers us: truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation (1 Thessalonians 5).

Sometimes we just have to face hardship; this is the world we live in. Sometimes God spares us from it and sometimes he allows us to go through it. I still don't know why God has allowed me to experience infertility but do I want to waste my life distracted and exhausted by grief? I know God loves me and he blesses me in countless ways, just not this one. So my prayer isn't always about what I want. It is a lot of the time, and that's OK too, but I also pray that my thoughts, desires and actions will be aligned with what God wants for me. That he will enable me to not only not buckle but to be alert to him, his blessings and what he wants me to do. And when I'm feeling confident, that I'll still draw from the well of his enabling because it brings me closer to God in relationship with him and that is so much sweeter than the satisfaction of being able to say I did it on my own.

A letter to my God.

Dear Jesus, 

Thank you that you are near, always accessible. Thank you for the life coach that is you speaking in Scripture and the Holy Spirit living in me.

Help me to pray continuously as is practicable. I can get stuck in my discouragement at life's misadventures and forget the resources I have to draw on. Please remind me that this is not my life but yours to live through me. Let people "see" you in the way I live this life you have given me.

Help me to stay cheerful, trusting, hopeful and strong. Cultivate this habit of prayer in me and thank you for your example of standing firm amidst the storm.

With love and gratitude,

Sally 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Silence of New Year's Day

Julian enjoying a fierce Spanish coffee.

What a sleepy morning! Julian has just got up from the lounge to put on a pot of coffee and I'm drifting off again at my desk.

Everyone be silent! God is present and is moving amongst us. (Zechariah 2:13, paraphrased)

What an apt verse for New Year's Day. The streets are quiet, the neighbours are quiet and crowds have dispersed. Of course many are quiet because if they made much noise the hangover headache would get worse. And people are sleepy from staying up late. But whatevs it takes to be still. Because in being still we can more easily contemplate God.

And God is certainly moving amongst us, the people whom he chose to come into being, whom he formed in his own likeness and breathed life into. And for those of us who choose it, God is closer than our own skin.

So settle back on the couch and before you pick up your book or close your heavy eyes, pause for just a moment to say hello to the God in the room.

Topsy Turvy World

The joyous, riotous overflow of splashing water. L by French artist Henri Guérin. R by Indian artisan Raju & myself.

Secularists* don't own society. They just think they do and are being bossy about it. Christians don't own society either, much as some wished they did; nor do people of any religion. We all live in the Kingdom of God, who owns us. So don't be intimidated by those who shout too loudly (whether religious or secular). But listen to your soul's cry for satiation.

Look well at my handpicked servant;
    I love him so much, take such delight in him.
I’ve placed my Spirit on him;
    he’ll decree justice to the nations.
But he won’t yell, won’t raise his voice;
    there’ll be no commotion in the streets.
He won’t walk over anyone’s feelings,
    won’t push you into a corner.
Before you know it, his justice will triumph;
    the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even
    among far-off unbelievers.

(God the Father speaking of Jesus; originally spoken through Isaiah the prophet. Matthew 12:15-21 The Message)

“Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again. 14 But no one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again. The water I give is like a flowing fountain that gives eternal life."

(Jesus speaking to a woman at a well. John 4:13-14 CEV)

* Referring to non-religious people. Used in a general sense and doesn't refer to the specific adherence to state an church separation.

sustainable style file: deborah campbell atelier

eco style credentials: 

Organic and eco-friendly materials
Ethical sourcing, including fair trade cotton
Engages in water efficiency and recycling/re-use practices
Supports local communities

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Based in the UK. 

The daily commit

A prayer at the start of each day for (re)committing ourselves to our Maker.

Father, you are the giver of life, resplendent in graciousness. Your love embraces me.
Today I commit to openness to you and submission to your drawing me instead of being driven.
More than any desire for achievement and self-actualisation, I desire closeness with you and for your will to be achieved in my life daily. Please recalibrate my motivations.
Help me to live effectively today, gladly offering the strengths and opportunities you have given, to represent you well in my current arena.
Today I commit to doing my best, in humility, with your strength and for your glory.
Thank you that you are ever near.
Amen. 

sustainable style file: harare

eco style credentials: 

Fair work conditions, livelihoods for traditional artisans.

NY based, Australian designer Caroline Fuss creates beautiful pieces.

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sustainable style file: elk

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Utilises raw and vegetable tanned leather, jute and sustainable timer in accessories and shoes. Also does jewellery and clothing. UNICEF Platinum Champion for Children.

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sustainable style files: vinnies

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recycled clothing

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141 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst  9357 3548

Open 10-6 every day

92 Oxford Street, Paddington 9360 4151

Mon - Wed, Fri - Sat 9:30am - 6:00pm, Thu 9:30am - 8:00pm, Sun 10:00am - 5:00pm

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vintage and recycled fashion

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294 Oxford St, Paddington PHONE:9360 1897

HOURS:M to Sa 10-6 Su 10-5

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recycled designer clothes, shoes and accessories, mens and womens

mostly top end brands

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recycled shoes, bags and accessories.

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90 William Street, Paddington T: 061 (02) 9331 8100 

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92 William Street, Paddington.  Ph: 9361 4221 

Reframing who you already are

Shading with silk thread

I designed a second embroidery piece again depicting a joyous, splash of water. Although the direction was both down and at the same time, uplifting - in worship. This was based on a stained glass collection by French artist Henri Guérin. I was inspired by the beauty of his work, and by his artist statement:

Unintentionally, this seed of a drawing has taught me to give thanks for the treasures of the world, human and object, over which their creator dispenses a profusion of light; He whom I believe to be the creator of Heaven and Earth.

Using the freedom with which He has entrusted me, I have gleaned a few trees, bushes, flowers and other derivations of His mystery, all of them fragments of His sublime creation, to show you, in my own way. If you find the silence in these images before you more eloquent than words, perhaps you will find this declaration of faith superfluous. Secretly, that is what I hope...  

One of the works from Guérin's collection of the vowels in the alphabet.

My spirits soared after reading that, sitting there surrounded by his glass creations. I aspire, as he has done, to worship the God I believe in through my art, and to inspire others to awe as well. This is a particularly difficult thing to achieve, and I am at the beginning of the journey, but it is what I would love to be able to do through fashion design.

Fortunately, after discussing with Ashok the design I had taken from one of Guérin's stained glass works, and that I wanted this piece to all be fine  thread work, he assigned my piece to a particularly talented artisan, Raju. The stitch he used is called Fasabla, which is a stitch in the middle of two others - or mixing stitches. Ashok suggested that shading be used, and to great effect. I love this piece.

Raju finishing off my thread work piece.

Road Trip

The whole of India is covered in dust,
in my nose, eyes, grit in my mouth.
A naked child in a "play pen" cage sits crying in the dirt,
inhaling a coughing highway.
People's lives are spent on the side of the road;
walking, resting, cooking, weaving trays of coconut through traffic jams of
cars, trucks, scooters jammed with people.

And the eyes;
always looking, staring at these pale faces peering back from the other side of the glass;
these women who, inches away, inhabit a far away world.

The whole of India is covered in dust,
In my nose, eyes, grit in my mouth.
There are no clean feet in India.
But the smiles of children are radiant.

Pushkar

Further impressions of Vrindavan and Pushkar:

• Driving on the wrong side of the road to get to where you want to go
• Cows roaming in the street, as well as monkeys, dogs and squirrels
• Cows eating refuse off the street
• Shantis made of sacks on the edge of town, a small, naked girl sitting in the dirt
• Shopping for exotic delights at a fraction of the price back home- brightly coloured pigments, silver and enamelled jewellery, perfume oils, coats made of recycled saris, leather bound books of recycled paper.
• Developing a taste for Indian cuisine and choosing it over Western alternatives even when its on the menu.

After a short week learning stitches and designing embroidery designs we had a weekend away in Rajistan. Arriving in Pushka at sunset, we were treated to a camel ride where we sauntered past orchards and arrived at the home of Fiona and Praveen. There we were treated to a feast and a performance by local gypsies, where tipping involved dancing with them! The next day we saw how The Stitching Project employs local women to embellish jacket components with a hand running stitch. This provides an additional income that is given directly to the women. We also tried out block printing in a local studio, used by Fiona and Praveen which was a lot of fun.

Camel ride through rural villages

Nandu Kanwar refining my "graffiti" block printed scarf 

Local gypsy dancing troupe

Fiona and Praveen are embracing the principles of fair trade, making jackets and clothing to order whilst employing local artisans and women. Fair trade, sustainable fashion is certainly the longer, harder road, with so fewer suppliers and so many more questions to ask, but it is the way I want to go. Although I am seeing first hand how complicated, arduous even, it is to achieve quality high fashion that is kind to the planet and is inhabitants. Obtaining organic cotton in small runs, sourcing second hand sari fabric in the colour ways of your choice, training makers to a standard discerning customers would expect as minimum. I have so much more respect now for the designers who are going just a little way to make their collections fairer.

Fiona & Praveen inspecting jacket pieces with hand stitched embellishment.

Studio time

My concept is a depiction of the Holy Spirit, specifically the characteristics of peace and joy. Following advice from the Fashion lecturers, I have simplified my imagery to water, using two elements of water - the splash and the ripples it forms, moving to stillness as metaphor of joy and peace respectively.

Ashok has shown as samples of his work, giving us a taste of the stitches and how beading and sequins can be used.  The studio is full of materials which Ashok has generously made available for use in our projects. Robyn also gifted me some beautiful clear crystals, which are perfect for slash droplets.

Ashok showing his "daughters" embroidery samples.

Example of water using stitch and sequins

Example of water using silk and metal thread

Artisan Chhailvihavil working on my water splash, which utilises beads, sequins, crystals and silk thread.

Sitting with my Artisan, I was able to show how I'd like the beads to be mixed, gradating from one colour to the other in a painterly way. This was the biggest challenge I found, as the artisans were so disciplined and expert at their craft that everything was neat. They were used to neat rows of colour and  lines of stitching - they must have been perplexed at mine and others' insistence on "messy, messy!"

Beauty in Ritual

On our second day in Delhi, after sourcing end of run fabrics, and dining and shopping in the local courtyard mall, we met the girls of a orphanage that our host supports. These girls were so happy and full of life. We filled the restaurant with lots of noise and laughter. (No photos of the girls posted to protect their privacy.)

After an early rise and 3 hour car journey we arrived in Vrindavin, south of Delhi, where we were welcomed by the photographer Robyn Beeche into the Ashram where she lives. We are here to learn embroidery and beading at the Ashok School of Embroidery, and to collaborate with Ashok's artisans on some contemporary designs of our own.

Being a temple town, ritual is everywhere in Vrindavin, and I love this richness, how they incorporate their Hindu religion into daily life. What touches me is the aesthetic beauty of their rituals. How Shilpi, the wife of the Ashram guru's son, blessed us before our first day at the embroidery studio, like her Mother would do for her before an exam, by placing a bindi on our forehead and giving us some sweet biscuits she had baked. 

Shilpi blessing Sarah

The chanting and use of roses and coconut water in the puja or ceremony of Ashok's brand new school. The pujari (priest assistant) in his beautifully embroidered white robes gave each of us a bindi as we held rose petals that he then sprinkled on the shrine. 

The Pujari placing thread around my wrist after giving me a bindi.

Lighting a floating candle on our morning river tour in Vrindavin.

The wearing of different colours for each day of the week: pink for Monday, orange for Tuesday, green on Wednesday, yellow on Thursday, multi colours for Friday, black or blue for Saturday and red on Sunday. 

The evocative, energising singing and music in Sri Radharaman Mandir, the ashram temple, to which one woman spontaneously got up and danced before the deity.

Dancing in the temple.

In contrast, western society could do with more ritualistic beauty. Perhaps the Enlightenment has had too much of a sanitising effect on culture. Capitalism and individualism have also left its scars. Are aesthetically beautiful rituals and ways of relating to one another  replaced with aesthetically beautiful luxury consumer goods? 

Reflecting on what I have seen in Vrindavin, as a Western Christian, at times I look for a more aesthetically enriching expression of my own faith. The use of colour, flowers, performance and gifts, perhaps.  Perhaps there will be inspiration in the traditions of  the Greek Orthodox, Egyptian Coptic or Nasrani Christians (the latter from Kerala in India's south). And the Bible itself is rich with imagery, which as a design student I can try to respond to in fresh, contemporary ways. This will be both a challenge and an enriching experience.

First Impressions

After arriving off the plane at our beautiful guesthouse in south Delhi at 6am, we were out 3 1\2 hours later for a full day of shopping. We came home laden with all kinds of ribbons, trimmings, beads, sequins, and fabrics, as well as bellies full of delicious Bihar food and eyes wide after visiting the studio of emerging designer Rajat Jain, who incorporates luscious beading in his contemporary designs.

Embellishment heaven!

Beader's delight!

Along the way, I also saw some random things that I would not have seen back home...

• The nature strip of a highway used as an exercise track
• A family of four on a scooter
• Another family in a three wheeled open taxi, laden with plaster of paris gods and shrine plaques
• Men picking wax from customers' ears outside McDonalds, with used cotton sticks.
• A girl's pleading face pressed against our car window
• Children making music and doing tricks at the traffic lights to earn money for another.
• Climbing around traffic in centimetre gaps to cross the road

There's something exhilarating, even though unsettling, about being amidst it all. And sleep will be sweet tonight...

India, here we come!

What a fabulous experience awaits ten of us who, as part of our fashion and textile design course, will be travelling to Delhi, Vrindavin and Pushka for 2 1/2 weeks. There we will source fabrics, learn traditional Indian embroidery and beading techniques, stay in an ashram and come home richer for  the experience.

Each of us will be collaborating with an artisan on contemporary embroidery designs, so it will be a real   knowledge exchange - the combination of two minds from very different worlds. I can't wait. Here is a sneak preview of my theme - can you guess what its on?