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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / Faith / “The bag.”

“The bag.”

January 29, 2014 · 27 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, inspiration, sewing

bag-maggie-whitley

Last night I knew I would have a few hours all to myself, to do anything I wanted: read a book, answer work email, take a long bath, watch a movie, sew something for myself — or even go to bed early. And while my body probably wanted me to go to bed early, I decided to try one more time to sew something. For months, and I’m not exaggerating in the least, I struggled with my inner self to be able to create something. The idea has been in my head, but every time I sat down to sketch some ideas or pair fabrics (or even cut into fabric & begin to sew) I hadn’t been able to translate what I was thinking. I kept thinking if I did something different: spend more time outside, surround myself with inspiration, pray or read my Bible more, stop thinking about being creative, talk about how I was feeling — surely my creative intentions would come to me. Right?

But they didn’t.

And I was feeling so, so, so, so discouraged. For months. Discouraged!

I mean, I had flat out stopped trying to skirt around the fact that I wasn’t feeling creative when I talked to our moms on the phone. I couldn’t hide it any more, and I didn’t want to.

Zack and I had some good talks yesterday, and one of the things I remember saying was, I’m not sure how long God wants to lead us down this road of difficulty but what I do know is this: we need Jesus.

Without going into all the details, life has been difficult, and it was surely overshadowing my creative process.

So last night, with a few hours all to myself, I decided to try once more. I grabbed some fabric I had been saving and went over the pattern (that has been inside my head for months) one more time. It couldn’t hurt to cut into another fresh fold of fabric, I thought.

I was just about desperate, but not desperate enough to totally give up. I took my time sewing — and time it did take — but as I crawled into bed last night I knew there were a few pieces of “fabric guts” from the bag I finished sewing. What has once been considered trash is now sitting on my desk as a lovely reminder of what happens when you mix patience and time with Jesus.

The bag that I’ve labored over for months? The bag that made me doubt if I had even a fat quarter of creativity left in me? The bag that humbled me over thinking God could ever be done using me (or you) for His creativity?

It is sewn, and I feel so free.

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27 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, inspiration, sewing

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Comments

  1. Pam says

    January 29, 2014 at 4:22 am

    Love the bag! Looks like a great teacher bag! Taking orders???:)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 4:55 pm

      @Pam, Hi Pam! Ohhh, thank you so so much :) It’s shaping up to be a great bag, hopefully it will be available in my new shop shortly! xo

      Reply
  2. Michelle @LoveMichCollection says

    January 29, 2014 at 5:37 am

    I know EXACTLY how you feel Maggie!!! When I have an idea, it is all I can think about and if I can’t get it the way my head is picturing it consumes me. But once you have a chance to get it out and in actual form, it feels so so good!! So glad you were able to do that last night! You’ve jumped the hurdle! :) Beautiful fabric combo!

    xo, Michelle

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 4:57 pm

      @Michelle @LoveMichCollection, Yahoooooo — I’m still celebrating from last night :)

      Reply
  3. Lindsey skinner says

    January 29, 2014 at 5:59 am

    I never leave comments….but I’ve been following for awhile. I just wanted to say hi, send a big hug, and prayers that while everything may not be OK right now, that soon they will be. Creativity can be such a fickle thing. We all fall into the ruts of self-doubt, become overwhelmed with the worry of failure, and let whatever is troubling our hearts stand in the way of creating something beautiful. Your creativity is a gift. You were meant to create beautiful things for people, and have brought joy to so many (one little ruffle at a time) :)
    Big hugs lady. You have many friends who are pulling for you!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 4:58 pm

      @Lindsey skinner, OH YOU ARE AMAZING! It’s wonderful hearing from you :) thank you for your committed reading and of course for all of the encouragement you wrote. XOXO

      Reply
  4. Trish says

    January 29, 2014 at 6:23 am

    I’ve been going through a creativity rut myself – it happens – that’s when I usually turn to something else for a bit. Paint, paper or thrift shopping so I can rehab some furniture. Something to clear my head. For me, I try to remember that when life is difficult and uncomfortable, those are the times when God is really working in us, molding us, preparing us for something new, strengthening us, stretching us, teaching us quiet patience and humility and grace. And I try to simplify. Just get back to basics. Family. Faith. Food. Sleep. This too shall pass.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      @Trish, Hey stranger! :) You’re so so right. When hardship comes it’s when God is really working on us. Thank you for the reminder… xoxo

      Reply
  5. Renae says

    January 29, 2014 at 6:35 am

    Pure gorgeousness!! I wish I had 1/16 of your talent!

    Reply
  6. Charlie H. says

    January 29, 2014 at 7:31 am

    This is beautiful, Maggie! I love the bag so much. Will it be available for purchase in the future?

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      @Charlie H., I hope to add something very similar to my new shop! :) stay tuned!

      Reply
  7. Nicole Jennings says

    January 29, 2014 at 8:25 am

    First of all, that bag looks amazing! So cute :) Secondly, I can totally relate to feeling the creativity squeezed out of you when life gets hard. Right now, we are in the middle of lots of waiting, praying, and unknowns–but, this post is so encouraging :) Even in the middle of all that, God uses us and our gifts :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 5:01 pm

      @Nicole Jennings, Hey girl! :) I hope God speaks to you a lot sooner than He did to me, but however long it takes I am so so excited for you to hear from Him. Remember that God already has the plans made, we just wait for Him to show us what’s going on. xoxo

      Reply
  8. Elizabeth M says

    January 29, 2014 at 11:01 am

    OH MY GOSH. You just summed up so much of what I have been feeling lately. SO many other dark things have gotten in my way lately, hindering my creativity. I think I will just sit down and try tonight:)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 5:01 pm

      @Elizabeth M, Keep trying! I wish I would have tried harder more often. But — maybe this was the plan all along :) Inspiration is all around you!

      Reply
  9. Stacey says

    January 29, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    I honestly don’t know if there is a creative bone in my body. The way you live your life is so inspiring! I’m so glad you were able to finally create something.

    I do know what it’s like to go through dry times though. This past year has been the hardest of my life. Somehow, all these moments add up to draw us closer to God, growing and maturing to be more of what He wants us to be.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 5:03 pm

      @Stacey, Creativity doesn’t have to make itself known through craft supplies. It can come to us through the gift of conversation, prayer, wisdom. I know you have a gift… praying you can see it, too :) xoxoxo to you, Stacey!

      Reply
  10. jodi @ back40life says

    January 29, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Yea! so excited for you – it can be so frustrating when you feel you’re at an impasse – so glad that you had a breakthrough last night! Don’t forget – you’ve had SIGNIFICANT life change in the past year…don’t beat yourself up over settling into life with those changes! Praying God’s best for you guys!!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 5:05 pm

      @jodi @ back40life, WHY YES WE HAVE! Oh my goodness :) I could make a reallllllllly long list of all the changes we’ve had. And they keep coming! My goodness. Have I said “my goodness” yet?? :) We’ve been here over a year… how long can I blame my lack of creativity on life? :) Loved reading your comment and am so grateful for you and your encouraging words. xoxo to you, Jodi!

      Reply
  11. Cristina says

    January 29, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    Every time I go to create a new design for a client and I am starring at a blank page on my computer I pray. I pray because I know without God there is no possible way I could ever create anything. It’s a cry for help and a asking for his Spirit to lead me. The times I think I can do it on my own is the times when my clients hate what I created. I truly believe that my graphic design and my photography is a gift from God. Even I can tell when it’s me trying to do it and when it’s God leading me to do it. It’s different! LOVE your heart and your amazing bag!!!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 29, 2014 at 5:06 pm

      @Cristina, I LOVE that idea — sitting down and asking God to really speak an idea into me. Brilliant. Thank you, friend :)

      Reply
  12. Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says

    January 29, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    Dear friend. I am so sorry that things have been rough. I want you to know that I am lifting you up in prayer right now. (and that bag?! YES!!!)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 30, 2014 at 12:17 am

      @Kate @ Songs Kate Sang, Friend, I FEEL your prayers. Thank you :)

      Reply
  13. Cindy Whitley says

    January 30, 2014 at 7:57 am

    That’s our girl, so proud, always. Keep on keeping on!!

    Reply
  14. Cindy Whitley says

    January 30, 2014 at 7:58 am

    So proud of you always! keep on, keeping on…….. and by the way the “bag” is incredible!

    Reply
  15. Megan says

    February 6, 2014 at 11:00 am

    I know this feeling very well. I go through very difficult creative burnouts (for months!) where I question everything I am doing. Eventually, inspiration comes back and usually rushes in and my work comes out easily. But creativity coming easy is definitely not the norm. Every time I come out these periods I learn more about patience and my true motives, and I always draw closer to becoming the kind of artist God wants me to be.

    Keep it up, and enjoy the inspiration when it comes :)

    Megan

    Reply

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  1. Little lessons of inspiring moments… says:
    February 4, 2014 at 3:01 am

    […] week I finally pushed through a huge creative roadblock, one I’ve been stuck behind for months. No matter how often I tried to push through it I couldn’t; I tried over and over and over […]

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

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What are you reading this year? Currently?

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I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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