A while ago I came across this lolcat picture. It made me smile – the cat’s expression, and that last line: “Please boop responsibly”.

Then it made me think.

As some of you may know, I’m a Christian. Can I very briefly explain what I mean by that? It means I believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and that He gave His life to restore our relationship with God. It also means I try to follow Him. Christians aren’t automatically or by definition “good people”; they’re saved people who do their best to be good people out of gratitude.

So what does this, or booping responsibly, have to do with stitching? Just that if I seriously try to follow Jesus, it should involve everything I do – church, family, work, hobbies. Is it bad for Christians to have hobbies? I don’t think so. Stitching helps me relax (when everything goes well), teaches me patience (when it doesn’t), gives me a lot of pleasure, has brought me new friends, is something I enjoy sharing with my mother-in-law; all good things. Embroidery is even mentioned as a God-given skill in the Bible! (In Exodus 35, if you’re curious.) Yes, there are definitely worse things I could do with my time .

On the other hand, there are probably better things I could do with my time too. Write to a friend. Visit someone who is housebound and lonely. Invite people over for a meal. Make things which are useful, like the scarves my mother knits for Romanian orphans. And then there is the matter of stash. I love stash (this will not come as a surprise to anyone who has been reading this blog for some time). Mostly threads, but also pretty hand-dyed fabrics. I love working with these materials, and I also enjoy “playing” with them – arranging them, thinking of projects for them, simply admiring the glorious colours and textures – very soothing. But there is no denying that these things use up money.

Do I think it’s wrong for Christians (or anyone, for that matter) to spend money on hobbies, treats or pretty things then? No, not necessarily. And I certainly wouldn’t comment on anyone’s spending but my own. But for myself it’s become important to consider what I do with the time and money I’ve been given. To work out how to fully enjoy this beautiful craft without letting it get in the way of more important things. To “boop responsibly”, as it were. So this year my motto will be: Stitch & Stash Responsibly, and Enjoy!

PS I have just received an email from Kate at Sparklies to say that my fabrics have been dyed and sent. Fortunately this comes under the heading of responsible stash as it was a present from the best and most thoughtful parents-in-law I could have wished for.

PPS Stuart Townend’s song Simple Living” presents Jesus’ attitude to money and possessions in a nutshell – and set to a very catchy tune at that!