Stations Journal Journey #28

Oct 17, 2025

If you’re still reading this after the darker twists and turns of Station #11, I do thank and honour you!

It is such a relief to have turned the corner from the frustration and inner stories that swirled about me over the past few weeks. Finally the 298 pieces of fabric in #11 were adhered and I could begin sewing them. The shift was palpable. Designing and bringing to life the high expectations and vision one holds in one’s creative sensibilities is no easy thing. But having done that, the process of stitching what now exists seems like mere process for me. Whew!

And now, after more than 20 hours at the sewing machine over the last 6 days I am also relieved to have finished that appliqué stitching. Two days ago, Thanksgiving Monday, I was making the final push on this stage. I also managed to give my body breaks all day and enjoy my family and a few other necessary tasks like putting the garden to bed and a bit of music practice. After supper I excused myself to go back to the studio, saying ‘see you on the other side’! But as per usual, what looks like almost being done is actually not as close as it seems. It took more than 4 hours. But in my pajamas, I finally sewed the nails through Jesus' hands, completing all the appliqué.

Today I will work on, and hopefully complete, the backing. Knowing the same heavy white fabric I used previously, I anticipate the need to speak lovingly to it. And maybe even learn another lesson in humility if I shed more blood on it:).  And thus yet another leg of this marathon will be behind me. 

I know that Jesus’ death is still yet to come, but I can feel now that I am being led toward, not more death, but life. I anticipate that the reflection for the next Station leads me toward the light of remembering that even when I am in the valley of the shadow of death God is there with me, I am not alone, and have not been forsaken. I know that though there is a piece of art to be created which is two-thirds dark colours and sadness, and yet more blood shed, one-third of it is the white and yellow brightness of God receiving the spirit of Jesus. It holds the beginning of newness for me. If this Stations year-long (15 year-long) journey has brought me through the Paschal process in slow motion, this will be the suspended moment of transition (oh gosh, I just connected that with the moment of transition in childbirth!). Knowing, trusting, that this is not the end of the story. I certainly do trust this today.