Patching

It was six years ago, that I pieced my first quilt (pictured above). It was for my niece’s new little baby daughter, Morgan. I remember giving her specific instructions: “Please use this quilt – don’t put it away in a closet – I made it for her to use. And when it falls apart, ship it back to me, and I’ll fix it.”

Now, these six years later, my niece, Marcie, came for a visit. She brought the quilt, because "the dog snagged it, and it needs a couple of patches."

I could hardly believe how shabby and worn the quilt had become.

The once-vibrant colours had faded. The once-plush blanket had settled into a paper-thin rag. The back was filled with holes of all sizes, and the binding should have been redone. But there would be little sense in doing the back and the binding, because the front was in almost the same condition.

It was so bad, that I told Marcie to put it in the burning barrel, and I’d make another one. But, you know how some kids are about their blankets -- Morgan wouldn’t part with it.

I found some leftover fabric in my stash, and I began to patch.

I patched. And I patched. And I patched.

It doesn’t look very pretty, but I did the best I could.

Morgan's quilt has been returned to her, and she probably cares far more about having it back than how it looks. I guess it's a good thing that it didn't go to the burning barrel (at least for now).

This patching process made me think about how everything wears out. When I looked for a picture of that quilt when it was new, I found about 35 years of pictures showing all kinds of ‘stuff’ we gathered along the way -- stuff that has long since found its way to the Thrift Shop or the burning barrel. All of our possessions get old and wear out. And we are left with only pictures and memories.

Did you know that Revelation 18 tells us that all things will burn at the end of time?

Father, thank you for supplying my needs while I am here. Thank you for the reminder that I need to hold loosely the 'things' and 'stuff' in my life, and tightly to what really matters.

All the days ordained for me...

I’m a Bible-marker. I know that to some that might seem wrong -- but I like to underline verses that speak especially to me, and I like to record times and events in my Bible. I especially like to go back through the pages and remember…

Today I celebrate another birthday, so perhaps more than other days, I’m mindful of the passage of time. As I looked in the Psalms, I found this passage underlined:

For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
When I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
Were written in your book
Before one of them came to be.

In the margin I wrote, “Gracie, February 5/07” Our little granddaughter was born the day before my birthday two years ago.

What a special birthday gift she was; and she continues to be a blessing. How wonderful to know that God knit her together in her mother’s womb and that all her days are written in His book even those that have yet to come.

Even more powerful: this is true for all the generations, past and future.

I found baby pictures of my dad, myself, our son, and our little Gracie to share with you today.

My dad, held by his aunt, Jean...

Myself, taken around my first birthday...

Our son, Nathan, in my arms...

Little Gracie, held by her parents...

Each of us began our lives with that truth – we are fearfully and wonderfully made, our frames are not hidden from Him, and our days are written in His book.

Thank you, Father, for all my days. And for the circle of life…Help me to remember my days and make them count for You.