Scraps of Life

One might say people are like scrap fabric as we come in different shapes, sizes, colors. Like scraps we are all different, but what can one do with scrap fabric? What can one make with all the leftover fabrics from other projects? Some of the scraps are too small to make much of anything, or too odd shape, or just plain don’t fit.

In the beginning remember God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void . . .

. . .much like the scrap fabric, but like the Maker of heaven and earth in the right hands, this fabric will also take form, and also like God who “separated the lights from the darkness” a quilter will also separate lights from darks to form a contrast between the two. We are all made up from a little of this and a little bit of that, from our parents, our upbringing, our friends, church and our education, life.

Next, the quilter needs a plan, or pattern to make sense of the scraps, a direction just as we need a direction or path to follow.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
“Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed, and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.” Proverbs 16:20

As we settle on a pattern and set out to create it, we also keep in mind which way are we going in our lives? Are we heading in the right direction?

“The Lord sees every heart and understands and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him.” 1 Chronicles 28: 9
“Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. “ Psalm 119:66

We carefully cut, sew and press, just as we carefully lay out our plans on how we want our life to go, picking our friends, deciding on collages and careers, getting married and having children.

“It is pleasant to see dreams come true.” Proverbs 13:19
“Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind. “ Proverbs 21:5

Then we make a mistake, we sew the wrong piece together, we cut the square wrong. We might be in too much of a hurry, become short temper when we should have show patience and understanding. We said the wrong thing, we made a bad choice, we didn’t get the promotion, and we become stress out about the little things, not seeing the whole plan.

“Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes” Proverbs 16:32
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We get discourage and have to rip out what we started. Life isn’t going the way we plan it, we hit a bump in the road so to speak. We might have to start over when we are in the middle, all that ripping . . .

“Cast all your anxiety in Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“Do not be afraid or discourage for the Lord God, my God is with you.” 1 Chronicles 28:20

We start over, keeping in mind our mistake, reading the directions, asking for help, trying to avoid what got us here in the first place

“With God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37
“If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” James 1:5

Our quilt, like our life takes shape, you can see the design, see where we have been and where we want to go. Are we are headed in the right direction?

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
“Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good.” Proverbs 4:25

We finish the square; add a sashing, a border or two, get it quilted and finally the binding is sewn on. The center quilt square in our quilt is God, the beginning, the starting point in our lives, forever showing us the way. We add more blocks, sashing and borders as the quilt takes shape – our families, friends and life experiences, we put a back on it, sandwich in the middle is the batting to keep us warm, like God’s love, the word of God are the small stitches that holds the quilt together once we quilt it, finally we add the binding around the quilt which are our own beliefs to keep it all together.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts . . .And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

We all are in different stages in our lives, some of us are starting out, some of have quite a bit sewn, and others have a beautiful quilt in front of them, all made from scraps. Each one different, each one unique to us, our life story, we all start out as scraps, it is up to you, in how you want your quilt to turn out. A finish quilt will keep one warm for a long time, if you take care of it. Just as family, friends and fellowship in God tends to our soul giving us strength, courage and the ability to love one another if we nourish it.

“I will praise You as long as I live and in Your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4
“For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20