St. Clare

Patron of embroiderers and needleworkers

Founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares)

Devotional

Psalm 139: 1-16

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
And lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is so high that I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning
And settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall lead me,
And your right hand shall hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me,
And the light around me become night,"
Even the darkness is not dark to you.

For it was you who formed my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
When I was being made in secret,
Intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.

Thoughts:
In our most frustrating moments when we feel that no one understands where we are coming from, we can remember this song of thanksgiving.   There is always someone who knows our most true selves and we can take comfort that God understands us.

In the beginning of Psalm 139, we are reminded that there is nothing we can hide from God.  In some ways, that can be a scary concept.  Are there things about yourself you wish you could hide from God?  God hears our prayers, our fears and doubts even before they leave our lips.  During your knitting meditation, pray through the rhythmic flow of your needles and yarn without words and know that God hears what your heart speaks.  In silence, become aware that you yourself were knit by God and be thankful.

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