It has been suggested I share my story about the “Rainbow Cross Quilts” that I have been making. It is a pretty simple story beginning in 2016. I saw a pattern for a Rainbow Cross (my name for it) and thought that looks like it would be fun to make. At about the same time my church was becoming a Reconciling Church. So, I decided to send for the instructions and make it for the sanctuary. I posted pictures on Facebook and a few family members and friends wanted one. I just asked to be reimbursed for the cost of fabric I had to purchase and shipping cost. So, I made a few more – 18 between 2016 and 2019. Turns out I did not like the original design and bit by bit made little changes here and there with each quilt and like most quilters I have a stash of fabric to draw from and happy to put it to good use.
Then came GC2019. What could I do to make a difference? What could little old me do? I’m generally a quiet person but always hope my actions speak louder than my words. You guessed it – this was followed by a big “GOD NUDGE”. “Wendy, make your rainbow crosses and give them away at no cost.” OK…let’s do it. So, I posted on Michigan Uniting Facebook page and my own Facebook page. By then I had come up with two new designs and two sizes. The requests started coming. No two are alike, each one is unique. Even though there may be more than one person asking for a purple and gold cross, different fabric is used. Each person gets to pick out the two colors they want for the cross and what pattern they want for the rainbow. I love hearing the reason for the colors – college colors, favorite colors, it represents something special in their lives, a symbol for a health concern are some examples.
There was a time the quilted wall hangings were in Iowa to Massachusetts and Michigan to Florida, in homes, churches and offices. It has become my little ministry. I love making them, quilting is a spiritual thing for me. I can sit at my sewing machine and let go of everything on my mind, my to-do list and have great conversations with God. I pray for the person receiving the quilt each time I sit down at my sewing machine, each time I cut out the pieces and put them together on my design wall. I read somewhere (I think on a t-shirt), “every thread is a prayer – every stitch is a heartbeat.”
A long time ago, someone asked me if I had a goal of 100. I laughed. I couldn’t imagine making that many. As I write this, I am beginning #118. I will continue to make them as long as they bring joy to others and to me in making them. I think about how fun it would be to line them all up in one room and see the connection. Because a fabric from one cross is in the next rainbow pattern and other fabrics can be traced from one quilt to the next. I love the symbolism of being connected. Some of the people that I have made one for are my family, some best friends, others are acquaintances, and so many people I have never met. It makes me smile to see them pop up in someone’s FB post or get a message from someone that they saw the quilt hanging in a friend’s house, church or office and they would like one. My answer is always yes, because of that “God Nudge” in 2019. About the time my fabric stash was getting low for this little ministry, several people donated fabric from their stash – their “God Nudge” — making it possible to continue making the rainbow cross quilts for free.
Friends, we don’t always need words but we do need to act, we do need to watch and listen for the “God Nudges” in our lives. They are there every day. In closing, I am reminded of my favorite quote from Mother Teresa, “We can do no great things – only small things with great love.”