Sunday, October 9, 2016

A messy life made clear...


I often reflect on the 57 years I have lived so far, and in my mind's eye there is a littered highway covered with mistakes, pain, grief, loss, sin, anger, confusion, fear, betrayal, missed opportunities, pride and so much more. But if I dig through the trash on my highway of life there's also good stuff to be found - like provision, forgiveness, surrender, restoration, hope, love, freedom, grace, mercy and immeasurable blessing.

It's a shame I see the bad stuff before I see the good.

It's a shame I too often see my life thus far as a tangled mess that makes no sense. Kind of like looking at the back of a stitchery.

Yet, turn the stitchery over and there's a clear picture, a beautiful design that makes perfect sense.

That's what God sees when He looks at my life, at your life.

Where we see only a maze of circumstances, both good and bad, He stands back and sees the full tapestry our lives are going to become. 

He knows why every hard or gracious event occurred, even though we cannot grasp His reasoning.

What we need to remember, what we must take deep into our heart, is that ALL things work together for good, to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose.

Whether today you stand on a mountain top or find yourself on your knees in the valley, trust Him to create something worthy and beautiful from the threads of your precious blood-bought life.

Much love,
your sister in Christ,



27 comments:

Bernice said...

Thank you Jenny for your reminder that God is Good all the time! Have a blessed day.

Deborah said...

Jenny...you never fail to make me think about things in a new and encouraging way. Sometimes life seems so hard but looking back I can see God's hand in all that we have gone through. God is faithful.

Pebble said...

Thank you Jenny. You thoughts are so encouraging and I always learn something new about God and myself. What a blessing you are in your faithfulness and sharing with others. Your loving and generous spirit shines through your blog and it touches so many hearts. Blessings to you.
Debbie

Kerrie (Kezzie) said...

Thanks Jenny for your encouraging words. I love the example you use of the back of a stitchery looking like a tangled mess BUT when turned over a beautiful picture and design is seen!
I thank God that He sees both sides of us YET loves us and accepts both sides of us because of the love He showed us in the provision of His Son Jesus on our behalf.

Blessings Jenny for this beautiful reminder, and every time I am stitching the thoughts you have shared will be brought to mind.

Kerrie (Kezzie)

Águeda said...

"Yet, turn the stitchery over and there's a clear picture, a beautiful design that makes perfect sense.

That's what God sees when He looks at my life, at your life."


Jenny, your words are pure inspiration. I feel very fortunate to read. I could not have found you to you on such a large internet ... A friend told me about your beautiful blog.
And today I'm a lucky reader to which you have beautified the day. Today, you come me a little closer to God and have given me a beautiful thought to keep him in my heart.
thank you very munch. Have Blessed day.

Marion Buecher Pottker said...

Tua comparação do bordado com a nossa vida foi especial.... Por baixo não entendemos mas ao virarmos temos um desenho perfeito e bonito. Isto ficará sempre em minha memória. Quase sempre não entendemos os caminhos Dele mas ao final vemos que é o melhor para nossa vida.... Mais uma vez obrigada por estas palavras. Que deus esteja sempre contigo.

Sally said...

Jenny, your words are exactly what I needed. So on point with what I'm going through right now.
Thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you. I will be reminded of this every time I pick up my stitchery. How blessed am I!!
xoxo

Jackie said...

Thank you, Jenny, for beautiful words of wisdom. There are so many bumps in the road that I'm on and often feel God has left me. But, I know deep in my heart He is still right beside me. I so look forward to your posts because you help me to remember the beautiful promises of Our Heavenly Father. Thank you for sharing you life, your talent, but most of all Hopo, Grace, and Love !

barcord said...

Thank you Jenny for those wise thoughts. Words like these enrich my walk with Jesus Christ. You have blessed my Sunday.

QuilterinMotion said...

I so needed to see that particular Bible verse and read your interpretation of it, this morning. Life is tangled right now with a critically ill family member and our travel plans changing by the minute. God is in charge and He does take care of His children.

Thanks for the reminder and the visual example; definitely love that!
QuilterinMotion

Anonymous said...

My grandmother always taught me that the back of my work should be as neat as the front. Thank you for the gentle reminder that God loves the not-so-tidy side of us. Thank you, too, for the free Blooming Hearts stitchery design. What a pretty and useful little pouch.

Cindy in NC

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Thanks Jenny!

Anonymous said...

This idea is one of my greatest comforts. It was part of my Sunday School lesson this morning, in fact. We learn more in adversity and trial than when life is moving smoothly. I think of it, in a sense, as getting my sharp edges knocked off and rounded down to be smooth and clean. The thing I try to remember is that when I need to repent, it's a lesson. When I'm chastised, it isn't a punishment, it's a course correction. If the Lord didn't love us with all His being, he would never bother to correct us. Thanks for sharing one of my favorite parts of scripture.

Susan said...

It is easy to trust God when things are going good. It can be a lot harder when life isn't so great. Hindsight is 20/20 vision. I believe that is why in the Bible God tells his people to remember...Remember what I have done for you and provided for you. Giving thanks to God for everything and in everything shows our trust in Him. Again, it is not easy to do, but if we don't, "the other guy" wins.

Farm Quilter said...

Funny, but I see you the way God sees you, dear sister! When I look back through my life and see any of the difficult times/circumstances, I see evidence of God's grace and mercy all around me. Without the difficulties life presents, we would only have sunshine...and we would definitely not appreciate it as we should. We would also not have the pruning and shaping into what God has planned for us. You are the beautiful vessel of the Lord only because of every step you have taken in life. Be content and know that He is God...and He loves you beyond all measure!!! And He will never give you more then you can handle, with His help.

mb4rwss said...

Your words are a balm to my soul...thank you!

Rosemary said...

Thank you, Jenny for the beautiful words. Such an encouragement that I need to remember about my life and the life of others. I love your patterns and just made 2 of your postcards from God for friends going through cancer treatment. Thank you for sharing your heart

Createology said...

Jenny Dear you have such a wonderful way of addressing topics and feelings and I am so grateful. It makes me stop and reflect and realize there are more ways than one to see or realize what my own life's journey has been and is. Blessings...

Winifred said...

What a beautiful post Jenny. You have the great gift of linking everything together seamlessly. Just like your sewing.

Thank you

Jane said...

Jenny I am in love with your stitching. Have downloaded a couple of the freebie patterns as my skills need practice to be able to attend to some of the more detailed patterns.
All I can say is someone who makes such gorgeous work must be a good person with a loving heart. Don't look backwards, look forwards to the bright future.

donna said...

Beautiful Jenny, thank you.
Hugs
donna

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

I don't often comment, Jenny, because I think you have enough on your plate without having to read this. But I just had to say I look forward to reading each and every post; you have quite a 'way with words' and know just how to express a lovely sentiment. Meanwhile, I am thoroughly enjoying the Stitchery Club's designs. Thank You!

Summer said...

Thank you for the lovely scripture and inspiration♥

Robin in New Jersey said...

Beautifully said, Jenny. May the Lord bless you today.

voyance gratuite said...

Effectively! Good text, very informative and explicit! Thank you for sharing your advice.

Judy said...

Thank you Jenny, both for all your wonderful patterns, free projects, and most of all for your wonderful inspirational posts. This one is just what I needed to hear. I know He has forgiven me for all my messes, but sometimes I find it hard to remember to forgive myself. God bless you!!

jude3944 said...

JENNY THANK YOU SOMEHOW I THINK ALOT OF US SEE OURSELVES IN THE SAME LIGHT/ BEING A YOUNG WIDOW AT 27 WITH 3 BABIES I MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES ONLY BY GODS GRACE DID I MAKE IT THROUGH MY 2ND MARRIAGE ALIVE. BUT HE SENT A WONDERFUL MAN INTO MY LIFE AND FOR 30 WONDERFUL YEARS I WAS HAPPY EVERY SINGLE DAY..I LOST THAT WONDERFUL MAN 3 YEARS AGO AND FIND MYSELF STRUGGLING AGAIN..BUT THROUGH ALL MY UPS AND DOWNS THE ONE PERSON I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON IS OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN,,,HE;LL GET ME THROUGH HES ALWAYS THERE, CATCHES EVERY TEAR,UNDERSTAND ME BETTER THAN I KNOW MYSELF AND LEADS ME IN HIS WAYS. GOD BLESS YOU I LOVE THAT YOU SHARE HIS LOVE WITH ALL OF US.. JUDY