Tapestry in the Master’s Hands

It was Christmas Eve’ outside the snowflakes were lazily falling to the ground. We had just come in from taking a hayrack ride in the pasture on the family farm. Our cheeks had been kissed with the beautiful icy flakes of snow. No Christmas had ever been complete until our six grandsons, along with other family members, and of course Grandma and Grandpa, would take hayrack ride singing Christmas carols. A cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on top after coming in from the cold would be the next item on the agenda. This particular Christmas Eve was not different from the rest, except we were missing a very special person—Grandpa Orlando, or sometimes lovingly known as “Pa”. In the past, Pa was the opne who always drove the tractor pulling the hay wagon for the ride; consequently he was missed tremendously. He had passed away seven months before, on May 24, 2011, and his absence was everywhere. “Grandma”, said my oldest grandson as we sat in the parlor drinking our hot chocolate. “Tell us the story of your life.” The other grandsons chimed in: “Please, Grandma!” I looked around and every grandchild was now sitting in a circle around my rocker, big smiles on their faces, all eyes looking at me with anticipation. But where, I paused to wonder, do I begin? I had never told my whole life story before and a lifetime, I had learned, was not a simple thing. It is complex, like the weaving of a tapestry, each day another thread being woven together by a great and awesome God. Did my story start with my birth? What about the events leading up to it? What about those who came before me, the ancestors who followed God’s call, long before my own parents were born. “Well,” I said, looking at my grandchildren’s rapt attention, the only place my story could start was on the opposite side of the world, long before any of us were born. Two couples came to America seeking religious freedom. As the weaving of an exquisite quilt takes place, so the weaving of lives intertwine. Romance blossoms, and a marriage takes place. Eight children are born to the couple and live in a one room sod house. Ingenuity was required to survive as a farm couple, but survive they did with wisdom given to them beyond their comprehension. During the depression it was difficult for a crop to start growing. Soil was put in gunny sacks, seeds were planted in the soil, watered, and then the ‘gunny sack wheat crop’ was moved to the field. It took a genius to survive. Colorful threads, and dark threads added to a piece of tapestry add ‘character’ and ultimately unique beauty is added to the finished project. Life isn’t always meant to be easy. It has storms which periodically are followed by a beautiful rainbow. Many times the rainbow in life’ has a pot of gold filled with many diamond blessings from the Master Weaver.” As the story concluded for the six grandsons, the storyteller is asked if she had any advice to give. Her advice: have fun, enjoy life, and seize the moments for splendid memories. One must realize that God will lead you along the path He has designed for you. The path is uniquely and tailor-made ‘just for you’! Difficult circumstances will come in life, but KNOW your life is like a tapestry. When that piece of tapestry is viewed from the back, it appears to be only threads hopelessly tangled. But when it is seen from the front, when it is finally finished, the picture is gorgeous and breath-taking, because the Master Weaver proves His skill. It is woven by loving, nail-scarred Hands. The weaving has required many different colors. Individually, the threads do not make sense, but when woven together, the end result is a harmonious pattern of exquisite beauty.