I made a dyed wood rosary a couple of weeks ago.
Sounds strange even typing it: rosary.
My rosary doesn’t have a capitol R or the correct number of beads. I’ve never prayed the Rosary, I wouldn’t know how, but I like having things around that refocus me in the middle of a busy day…
For months now, I’ve been praying for something specific, when I made this rosary, I used it to bring my focus to this particular prayer request. All day long, I hung it here there and everywhere and it reminded me to pause and pray.
But this past weekend this particular prayer wasn’t answered.
That’s not true, it was answered, just not the answer I was asking for…
But sometimes God says, “not-now” or “no”.
And that’s ok.
When God says no to your prayers what do you do?
I asked my friend Julie that question the other day and she said that after letting go, she starts thanking God…
That reminded me of what Ann Voskamp says,
“On the night He was betrayed Jesus broke bread and lifted it up and gave THANKS.
If Jesus can give thanks in that, can we not give thanks in all?”
Yes. I can thank God for my answer, even if it’s not what I would have chosen.
I can thank God for my family.
For my faith-for hope and for love.
Until further notice, this sweet beaded rosary will remind me to give thanks…Maybe I’ll just call them my gratitude beads…
Can’t go wrong with gratitude…
In case you want to make your own dyed wood bead rosary, I’m going to show you how easy this was…and dyeing natural wood with Rit dye is just too much fun.
Here’s What You Need:
(This contains affiliate links)
*Wood Beads (50 Beads)
Click on the photo for the beads I used-
*Faux Suede Flat Lace Beading Thread
Click on the photo for the thread I used-
*Rit Dye in Teal & Pearl Gray
Click on Photos for the dye I used-
*Wood Cross
(I used one the my FIL made years ago-but I ordered the one below for my next one!*If you order this one, it has a clear coat – I will sand the clear off before putting in the dye *)
*Floral Wire
Click on the photo for source-
Click on the photo for source-
*String your beads on floral wire because it’s easier to dye them that way.
*Add 1/2 teaspoon teal dye & 1/4 teaspoon gray dye to 8 cups of boiling water.
*Submerge the beads in the dye until they are the desired color- Let dry overnight – (they dry lighter)
Measure out 50 inches of cord and thread it through and tie a surgeon’s knot- (See HERE for detailed instructions)
String a bead to the base of the knot and using a straight pin, thread the loose end back through the bead- Using a tooth pick (or a skewer), insert a dab of E6000 glue into the hole…
Tie another knot (regular knot), and add 3 more beads- tie another knot…
Start your chain of beads adding knots where you want for interest. I added a knot ever 7 beads because of the significance of the number seven in Scripture…
Finally tie the beaded strand off at the last bead before the beaded cross…I cut off the extra and tucked it in the bead, securing with a drop of E6000. 
I really love having this around and dyeing the natural wood beads was fun – fun – fun…I’m going to play around with some other colors and make a few more of these gratitude beads…
or prayer beads…
I like using things to focus my prayer life-Go HERE to read about how I use my prayer bracelet …
Well, every time I read your posts I decide, THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE. But really, it’s this one.
Gratitude beads. Wouldn’t they be wonderful for a ladies’ retreat!
They’re so beautiful. I don’t learn without seeing and touching. Just thinking how these would help us remember to be grateful. And gratitude opens the door to acceptance.
I love this. I love you.
I love this post! Thanks so much for sharing.
Another beautifully written post, Robin. I believe we all struggle with prayer that isn’t answered the way we wanted. What helps for me is to keep reminding myself that God sees the bigger picture whereas we just are looking at this small picture of our life.
I love the beads! What a simple and beautiful reminder to give thanks in all things.
Love and hugs, sweet friend.
How interesting Robin. I was just giving some thought to unanswered prayer yesterday. Sometimes when I am praying for something in particular I can get very discontent about it, so I am better off leaving it at the alter, and not praying over it frequently. I love shifting our mindset to gratitude and praise though!! Love the beads as a reminder. 🙂
The quote from Ann Volkamp really hit home with me. I’ve been struggling with disappointment myself. I love how you placed the gratitude beads in many locations throughout your home. Keeping it before our eyes… I would like to try making these. Like a stone of remembrance. Thank you.
Robin, I love your beads. What a nice gift that would make, alone or with a devotional. And boy do I know what you’re talking about….I’ve been hearing “not now” for four years. That takes a lot of focus to keep on keeping on…but I try to be grateful for my now. Thanks for the reminder!
Love your pictures of the beads so casually draped around your house – and so visible. What a great reminder to have contact with our God.
This might be one of my all time favorite things you’ve made- from the color, to the wood, and the way you bead it together with the suede. Lovely! Truly, I’m touched and love the idea of gratitude beads- yes! I have visuals of all the times our Sara would say she was reaching for her rosary- oh my- how she’d love this like I do. Thank you for touching my heart today!
Hi Robin
What a wonderful post* I adore your rosary/prayer beads. What fun to make the entire thing yourself. Love the color you chose for the beads. It is so hard when we want an answer and then its not the answer we were hoping for. Enjoy this gorgeous weekend
deezie
Just beautiful — both the beads and the story! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! 🙂