When I was about 8 or 9 years old I became interested in cross-stitching. Now before some of you judge me or make some kind of comment about boys cross-stitching, let me say this, one of the reasons that I started doing it was because I found out that Reggie White (The Minister of Defense) also cross-stitched and he said that it helped his hand-eye coordination. If a Hall of Fame, Pro-Bowl, larger-than-life defensive end can cross-stitch – then so can I!
One of the strangest things about cross-stitching was looking at the back. It made absolutely no sense at all. It looked like a jumbled-up mess. It is the same way with a tapestry. Tapestries are beautiful, colorful, thick pieces of fabric with pictures on the front. But have you ever seen the back of one? Complete and utter confusion.
Sound like your life? Complete and utter confusion?!?
At my church this month, we are talking with our children about HOPE and the theme is entitled “Puzzled: Believing There Is A Bigger Picture”. Each week the children were taught a different topic about HOPE:
- Week #1: Whatever happens, remember what Jesus promised
- Week #2: Whatever happens, God is stronger than anything
- Week #3: Whatever happens, remember God has a bigger story
- Week #4: Whatever happens, remember Jesus is always with you
Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together and it just did not make any sense? You just could not figure out how in the world you were going to get the pieces to look like the cover of the box. How many times have you ever thought to yourself, “I think they put the wrong pieces in this box!” For a majority of the time, the picture just did not make any sense at all but when the last piece was set in place, there was a beautiful picture – just the way the artist drew it.
Our lives are very much like puzzles, cross-stitch workings and tapestries. We can’t see how God is working in our lives and we don’t understand why we are going through a certain situation – but here is our HOPE – HE does! To us, we see confusion and a total mess but to God – HE sees the what the whole picture will look like and HE sees it from the front!
As I was preparing to write this post, I came across a poem by Corrie Ten Boom entitled “Life Is But A Weaving” that paints a beautiful picture of how God is working in each of our lives.
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
How is God working in your life?
jasonlsneed.com 
As I read this I immediately thought of Corrie Ten Boom. I think the only video I have ever seen of her speaking was when she used a cross-stitching for an illustration.
I will have to look for that video. I read her book “The Hiding Place” in high school and was blown away! Awesome story!
“Thank you!”
Thanks Robin, I appreciate that!
is there a place to download those lessons for children? Sounds great 🙂
Kim, it was a curriculum that we used called 252 Basics. We had to pay for it as a church. They were great lessons and great for children.
Thank you!