Knitted Souls

 

Souls that are knitted together are souls that are in a spiritual friendship that strives towards the same eternal goal. The origin of this phrase comes from 1 Samuel 18: 1, speaking about David (the one who would succeed Paul as King of Israel) and Johnathan (Saul's firstborn son and heir to the throne). In that great story these two friends remained loyal to their mission to follow the LORD and all his commandments and were loyal to each other. Their minds, emotions, and wills were so completely aligned that they supported each other without jealousy or self-seeking. The image of two souls being 'knitted' together implies an intentional, divine action in the friendship - knitting is a craft and it must have a craftsman. I knit with wool, but who knits souls - God of course! And for what purpose? To strive together towards the one goal of heaven, naturally!

And so it came to pass that shortly after I moved to Norfolk in 2022 it transpired that our neighbour and her lovely family also attended our local Catholic Parish. What joy! We soon became fast entwined in a discussion of all things Catholic, from prayer to food; culture and confession; fasting and feasting; family life, marriage and love. Our chats were light-hearted and fun, deep and meaningful, full of laughter and tears and included tea, biscuits and wine. They were also frequently interrupted by the blessing of needy children, mine and hers.

I am Elaine, mother of two boys (8 and 10), wife of amazing Husband (Graham) and a Secondary School Teacher for almost all of my adult life. I adore family, cooking, gardening, knitting, crafting, making of all sorts and a slow pace of life (which is ironic because I am always running around at full pelt). Our family share our home with a menagerie of animals including MopMop (the cat), Jumble (the dog), Nugget and Chip (the chickens), Hippolyta (the Queen Bee) and her hive of Pucks and Theseuses (worker bees and drones), five pond fish (that do each have names but I cannot remember them and my boys are in bed), newts, frogs, hedgehogs, partridges, pheasants, bats, owls and blue-tits that share the garden and some jackdaws that live in the chimney. 

Most recently, my partner in all things Catholic and friendly neighbour, took up an opportunity of a lifetime and moved to France! Hence, this blog where we can continue our discussions and reflections, ask each other questions and share great ways to celebrate Catholic life in the family and in the home. I am going to leave my friend to introduce herself and maybe start us off in one direction of conversation or another!