Why "Woven and Spun"?

There were several things that inspired me to name this blog "Woven and Spun."

One of my favorite songs (that also currently serves as my cell phone ring tone) is "I Am" by Nicole Nordman. The whole premise of the song is that Jesus is every believer's "I Am" all throughout life--in every stage and season. The end of the song quotes a tiny part of Psalm 139: "When life had begun, I was woven and spun."

Psalm 139 has been one of my favorite scriptures for a long time. The entire school I taught at in Costa Rica (Sojourn Academy) memorized it together during the daily chapel service my first semester there. Psalm 139 was also constantly in my mind during my pregnancy with Emma Brooke. I don't think a day passed that I did not ponder how God was "weaving and spinning" a baby in my womb!

Beyond the spiritual, "Woven and Spun" reminded me of a new hobby I have been developing since moving back to North Carolina: sewing and quilting. I am NOT a natural, but I have enjoyed this new venture, and I felt the title fit well with this season in my life.

Lastly, back in my "youth" (age 5-23ish) I was quite passionate about writing. Life just seemed to get busier after college, and without the pressure of deadlines, my passion waned. For a time, I thought I had lost my muse altogether, but it seems to be coming back with the onset of motherhood and a little more time on my hands as a part-time tutor and stay-at-home-mom. Anyway, I am not aspiring to write anything of worth at this point, but the least I can do is try to re-hone my skills and do a little "weaving and spinning" on the computer keyboard.

To end, I would like to include the lyrics to Nicole Nordman's "I Am":

Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn't always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed
You watched my team win
You watched my team lose
Watched when my bicycle went down again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said, Elbow Healer, Superhero
Come if You can
You said, I Am

Only sixteen, life is so mean
What kind of curfew is at 10pm?
You saw my mistakes
And watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I'd never love again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper
Be my best friend
And you said, I Am

You saw me wear white by pale candlelight
I said forever to what lies ahead
Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it is 2am
And when I am weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Shepherd, Savior, Pasture Maker
Hold onto my hand
You say, I Am

The winds of change and circumstance blow in and all around us
So we find a foothold that's familiar
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer

When life had begun, I was woven and spun
You let the angels dance around the throne
And who can say when, but they'll dance again
When I am free and finally headed home
I will be weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer
Lord and King, Beginning and the End

I Am
Yes, I Am