God's Making a Quilt

I subscribe to several on-line devotionals and this one, in particular, struck a chord with me.  I hope that you will enjoy the read.  I've included the link for the source at the end of the message.

As I have processed and navigated the changes within our family in the past several months, I have, without a doubt, felt as though we are in a season of pruning.  And in the words of a dear friend from years ago... "I'm tired of being pruned.  I feel like nothing but a bloody stump!"  She eventually waded, wandered and plodded through that painful season, and I am confident that we will too!

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Let Me make you a quilt filled with color and memory. There are pieces of fabric you don’t want stitched into the quilt, but my stitches are beautiful. What I make from the varied fabrics — some pristine and others sullied — is beautiful. For my hand is kind and skilled, and my stitches are measured and sure.

Faithful One, the idea of being pruned by God — the experience of God cutting away what isn’t good in our hearts to grow closer to Him — might feel uncomfortable. After all, it is hard to give up our feeling of control, even if it is for the sake of greater intimacy.

For this week’s Encounter, Holy Spirit invites us into a conversation about the pruning He’d like to do in our lives. Interestingly, He compares this pruning to the work of a quilter, who knows the beautiful result of the quilt He is making. He knows what fabric remnants to use and what remnants to reject to make the quilt what it is supposed to be.

Sometimes, the pieces of fabric that seem wonderful — the perfect texture and color — are not what the quilt needs. And sometimes, the pieces of fabric with history — tears and mars — can be stitched together so that when the quilt is finished, it is clear the pieces perfectly belong. At first, it isn’t always obvious what the quilt needs to be beautiful. But the quilter sees. And He chooses perfectly. Sometimes, we have to trust Him to get rid of some pieces to make room for others the quilt, as a whole, needs.

What does God want to remove from your heart so you can engage with Him even more deeply? What beautiful quilt does He want you to see?

Want to find out?  I do.  Will you join me?

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As I made and finished Rebecca's quilt from some of her special childhood clothes, I realized that I really should have done the same with the stuff I had saved for Heather. I don't think that any of her girls wore the items I had saved. Hmmmm... That realization was the reason for some of the content and subject of "Don't save... Today IS special" as well as the poem I included in Memory Lane.  You will find pictures of Rebecca in several of the outfits included in this quilt if you follow the link I have in the previous sentence. =D

The back of the quilt with the label

There are certainly some sullied and stained pieces, as well as some pristine items that are in the quilt.  That Peter Rabbit block was from a beautifully woven blanket that was used just once or twice... it happens to match the baby book that had been gifted to us.

I adore this quilt! All of the little details... the ribbons and lace from dresses... the buttons from the overalls that she wore so often as she played in the sandbox. She agreed with me when I told her I needed to be sure to include them.  And those bunny ears! I asked Dave if I should tack them down or leave them floppy. He said to "leave them floppy... it adds the cuteness of it."

Those stains add to the charm and character of the quilt and fully reflect her childhood.  They are the perfect addition to this quilt that God wanted me to see!  That label should include God's signature! ;)  I'm sure that my Becca-Boo knows that God had His hand in this as much as I did.  She also knows that He loves her like no other... not even her Momma.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather at Shabby Art Boutique

Home Matters at Days Filled with Joy

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