When life is going well.
When there is money in the bank account,
Health for ourselves and our families,
Jobs are satisfying,
Relationships are strong,
The house is clean,
In other words,
When life is going in the way we think it should.
We see our life as something beautiful!
But, when life is hard, and things are not going as we think it should, our life can seem like the back of needlework,
with frayed threads,
And no discernible pattern.
In short, anything but something beautiful.
A few weeks back, as I read a post, called God Sees Through the Chaos, by Cheryl Zelenka, at Facing Trials, I was struck by how she told the story of how what we see as a mess actually being something beautiful.
“I do so love the testimony of Corrie ten Boom and how her ministry of love and forgiveness continued on until her death. This story blessed me and I hope it blesses you as well.
During Corrie’s presentations to audiences, she would often hold the back side of a piece of embroidery (pictured), with hundreds of tangled threads hanging from it. Many wondered if she was holding up the wrong side by mistake. As she held up the messy side of the embroidery she would ask…
“Does God always grant us what we ask for in prayer? Not always. Sometimes He says, ‘No.’ That is because God knows what we do not know. God knows all. Look at this piece of embroidery. The wrong side is chaos. But look at the beautiful picture on the other side – the right side.”
Triumphantly she flipped the cloth over and revealed an elaborately embroidered crown – symbolizing our crown of eternal life. The crown was intricately stitched, and had threads of many colors, including gold, silver and pearls.
“We see now the wrong side, God sees His side all the time. One day we shall see the embroidery from His side, and thank Him for every answered and unanswered prayer.””
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