Vanity of rosaries

I got upset with the kids today about their bad attitudes; I said that it's up to them to look for the good in others...but now I'm faced with my own advice.

There is a customer that I'm having a lot of trouble with--she's been my "thorn in my side." She ordered more rosaries that I can make, and although I need the money, the order is too big and too spread out (she wants them sent out at certain times.) I wish she had ordered only what she needed now and waited for the rest. It would have been easier for the both of us. Anyway, I busted my butt to get the first two sent out to her--only for her to want to send them back and cancel the entire order. Well, that was a huge disappointment because now I had to figure out how to come out with $200 that I no longer had...I finally came to a place where I had accepted the disappointment and even saw the good in canceling the order when she suddenly changed her mind. Instead, she wanted certain items off but did not clarify which ones.

Anyway, the communication with her has been very difficult. when I do hear from her, she wants to know where her refunds are. Lord, help me to have patience with this difficult woman.

In the meantime, she is sending back the two rosaries she didn't like for me to redo them. I agreed to redo those two in order to keep the order since I don't have the money to pay her back. But I thought about it today and thought to myself, "this is not a 'handmade woman.'"   Meaning, she doesn't like or appreciate hand-made things. She would do better to order manufactured items, where she will get perfection every time. Instead, I am worried and nervous about the rest of the rosaries: will she hate those too? She is so unpredictable and difficult to please--and a little crazy for spending so much money on handmade things.

Lately I'm having a hard time with making rosaries. I love making them; love putting my ideas and thoughts into them. But as for the "hardware" (crucifixes and medals), I keep those very basic and affordable. I do this so that my rosaries can be also affordable. I also do this so that someone will not feel the burden of paying so much money that now that rosary has become a possession.

Rosaries are meant to be prayed on. They are not jewelry. They should not be something to be worried and concerned over. Symbolism is wonderful, but let's keep things under control. Let's remember why we have rosaries. Let's be ok with the eye pins coming undone once in a while (it happens to every rosary) and get our tools and put them back together. Let's be ok with the basic crucifix: it still is an image of our Lord. Let's be ok with the basic centerpiece: it is a picture of our Mother.

I need the money but more and more, I'm thinking of quitting my handmade rosaries. Lord, tell me what to do. I hate being a part of materialism and vanity. It's just not right.

I am thankful for the customers that have been kind and patient as I make their rosaries. They are not perfect rosaries but each are handmade with love.

People!

The problem with getting off of Facebook is that you have to deal with people.

God asks us to love those who hurt us anyway. It is so hard sometimes.

Am I guilty of hurting others? Yes. Have I been selfish? Yes. These little reminders are the only thing that prompts me to forgiveness.