Mindless Mending

I never have been much of a sewer. However I do occasionally try to make the most of what little ability I have and put a stitch or two in items coming apart at the seams. As I was sewing a pair of my jeans that had literally given way in the seat of my pants, my mind was definitely somewhere else. I just wanted to get the job done. I don't enjoy repair work when it comes to many things; especially by way of sewing. I quickly ran the needle in and out of the fabric in hopes that when I got done it would hold. After working on it for a brief time. I tied the knot and declared...Done! As I turned them right side out to inspect my work, I was not surprised that the first thought that came to mind was, "Mom could have done better." I slipped on my glasses to see if it really looked as bad I thought it did. The votes were in, the tally counted and the answer was YES. In fact, it looked worse than my first inspection let on. Since the first try at mending those pants was no fun I was pretty sure the second would be even less so. Did it really matter? I mean how many people look at the stitching in the seat of your pants anyway...right? I decided that I would wear them "as is" and see if anyone noticed. I am really not sure how I rationalized this in my mind, but somehow I came to the conclusion that if it was really that bad a friend or loved one would step up to the plate and tell me. I wish my story ended there, but it doesn't. A day or two later I was getting dressed and grabbed the poorly sewn jeans from the shelf and slipped them on. Oh yeah, now I remember why they let loose. They had no choice. A little snug might be an understatement. But, hey, I got them buttoned and when on my merry way. Well that was until isle 6 in Walmart. I reached down to grab a can of tomatoes when I felt the seam once again let loose in protest. If it had been a small rip like the first I probably could have hid it until I could make it to my car. Unfortunately my jeans had something to prove and in doing so left a gaping hole. I quickly pulled my shirt down as far as I could...left my basket where it sat...and headed for the door carrying my purse behind my back to cover what I am sure everyone in the store now knew about. All I could think was: "Oh my gosh I am going to be the next person seen on those awful 'what you might see on your next trip to Walmart' pictures." I quickly climbed into my car and headed home. As I was driving I asked the Lord how He was going to use this one. Most times in my life when something embarrassing happens to me He later uses it as a life lesson. I waited for a reply. Nothing. So I drove home. Later that night as I was doing some writing for another project it came to me.
Many times we try to repair rips in relationships in the same way. First of all, we try to take it into our own hands. Hands that are unskilled and really unwilling to take the time to really repair things. Secondly, we want a solution with little time and little effort on our part. Expecting that whatever we get will be good enough. Good enough for what though? Thirdly, even if it isn't the prettiest repair job we still expect that no one will notice and that it will hold regardless of the circumstances. What I learned in Walmart was this...
1. If you really want a relationship restored take it to the Master of restoration. He is the only One who knows how to repair things properly. I mean He did restore us to Him!
2. True restoration takes time.
3. True restoration take effort.
4. Good enough is not an option.
5. Shoddy patch jobs do not hold!
6. The second rip is usually much bigger than the first so you might as well repair it right the first time.
7. Walking with holes because of torn relationships is just as embarrassing as torn jeans. Repair! Repair! Repair!

"Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you."                                                   2 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

I want the God of love and peace to be with me. I hope you do too!

Blessed to be His,
Kim

Laffy Taffy

I want them to know the joy of Laffy Taffy!

WOW!  This week has flown by.  Hard to believe the week is over and we are heading home.  It has been an absolute delight to have an entire week to spend doing whatever we wanted to.  It's hard to believe my parents started a tradition over 31 years ago that included our entire family seaside at the same location to enjoy each other and God's creation.  This year has been a little different because the house we have rented all these years is currently being remodeled.  I know this doesn't sound like a big deal, but it changed our traditional vacation entirely.  We are in a new city.  In a different house. My brother and his family are not here and neither are my sister and her family.  My parents are out of state enjoying cooler weather.  To top it off you can't see the beach from the balcony.  In fact, there is no balcony.  The home we are staying in is beautiful and it is centrally located to so many amenities.  3 miles from the beach, 4 miles from the outlet shopping center, a theater within walking distance, and eating establishments on every corner.  Believe me when I say, I am not complaining.  It is just different this year.  My longing for tradition has once again shown to be a powerful drive in my life over this last week.  For some odd reason I want my kids to experience all of the same "good times" I have had over the years.  This was never more evident than yesterday as we were shopping at a local market.  This market started out as a fruit stand.  Now however, in addition to fruit and vegetables they sale candy, ice cream, canned items like pickled okra, jams, jellies, kitchen items, baked goods, and old fashion toys.  It is one of my favorite places to visit while we are in the area.  As we were walking though I heard a child talking with her mom.  It went something like this..."Mom, mom.  Can I buy this?"  "No sweetheart.  You have already spent all of your money" her mother replied.  "But Mom I think I have to have it.  I really do.  I HAVE to have it" was the little girls plea.  "Sweetheart," her mother said, "you don't HAVE to have it.  You want it.  There is a difference." The child's voice now climbed an octave as anxiety set in.  I had to see what the little girl HAD to have.  As I peeked around the corner I heard her exclaim, "No mom...listen to me please.  I have to have this.  Please if you buy this for me then I won't ask for anything for the rest of the day.  Please!"  As she came into full view I noticed two things.  The precious face of a  6-year-old facing the possibility that she would not get what she wanted, which by her own definition, she had to have.  My eyes lit up as I recognized the desired prize.  "Honey, why do you HAVE to have it?" her mom asked.  "Because" she said, "It is Laffy Taffy and I need to laugh today.  I might be sad without it."  Laffy Taffy!  For those who don't know what this is...it is salt water taffy.  Not the kind that is sold in bite size chunks.  This taffy is special because they roll it out, much like a sheet of paper.  It is about 4 inches wide and 8 inches long.  It doesn't taste any different, but is more fun to eat than normal taffy.  When I was a kid this was the one candy I "had to have" when we traveled to the beach.  There are so many memories tied to even the mention of the name.  Long days spent playing in the sand and water with my family.  The little girl was right...this was a must have item.  I am not sure of the outcome of the conversation but I hope for her sake her mother took pity on her need to be happy and bought it for her.  As we were driving home I got to thinking.  A lot of what I do for my family is rooted in the idea that I want them to have some of the same great experiences that I have had.  Whether it is Sunday supper, vacations by the beach, Christmas craziness, or homemade ice cream on a hot afternoon, they are all driven by my desires for my family to share in some of the things that made me the happiest as a child.  There is only one thing wrong with this idea.  The world is not the same.  The world we live in today doesn't allow for some of the simple things to be some of the most enjoyable ones.  It doesn't allow for the comfort of knowing your children can play outside unattended for hours and the only thing you need to worry about is them fighting amongst themselves.  The world has changed and will continue to change.  We will have to live more guarded to live "safe" lives.  We will have to work at making simple things special and special things priceless.  What was designed by God to be a "walk in the park" is now more like working in the fields.  So where is the joy in the present state?  It is where it has always been.  It is in the laughter of an elderly woman who has lived life and laughs anyway.  It is in the smile of a loved one who has found peace.  It is in the hug of a friend who cares deeply for you not out of "have to," but because they want to.  It is in a memory brought on by a piece of candy.  Laffy Taffy?  I think I need a piece!   

Heading in the same direction

Can't wait to have a few
 conversation
with this little man.