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)
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
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