God has blessed me greatly

My son recently told me that for my birthday he would wish for money, so I didn't have to make bags anymore. I had to chuckle at his thoughtfulness, but I also took the opportunity to explain to him why I make bags in the first place.

I told him that it's not about the money - I make bags because I genuinely love doing it. Learning to use a sewing machine was on my bucket list. As the children grew more independent, I thought to myself why should I wait to learn how to sew. We had just spent a season indoors and online with virtual learning in 2020. I needed to do something for myself.

But my hobby is more than just a small Catholic shop that sells pouches and totes. When I make a bag, I'm also praying for the person who will eventually use it. I pray that they will be reminded of God's love for them each time they touch it. I pray at least one rosary while making my bags. I have trained myself to "pray without ceasing" and it has brought me a new perspective as well as much needed peace in my daily activities.

My son seemed a bit puzzled at first. "But you can pray for people without making bags," he said. And he's absolutely right. But for me, the act of creating these bags is a form of prayer in itself. It's a way for me to use the gifts and talents that God has given me to serve others and bring them closer to Him. I can be content with being a wife, mother and teacher, but in the free moments I have, I can continue to share and expand God's gifts He has blessed me with and share with others in the world.

So while the extra income is helpful, it's not the driving force behind why I make bags. It's the joy of creating, the opportunity to pray for others, and the chance to share a little bit of my faith with the world. And that's something that no amount of money could ever replace.