On the day we are born, we are given a beautiful quilt, which is our very body. It is a quilt God works on from conception, piecing together our very person. In fact, scripture tells us that He knew us even before conception. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart…”:Jeremiah 1:5
This is our quilt for the days we walk upon the earth. God loves this quilt and honors it, no matter the size or shape. He expects us to do the same. Like all things created, hours and hours, have gone into the masterpiece of His hands, and no two are exactly alike. Every stitch is an act and labor of love, and each is an original unto itself.
We all love the story of the Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams. We love that the rabbit becomes ‘real’ because it is so very loved. We know deep down that we are made real by being loved as well.
There is no greater art in this world than the art of love. And, it is an art. It takes a steady hand, and an eye that constantly focuses on the beloved. It takes practice. It takes incredible skill. It takes personal sacrifice, and the placement of someone else’s needs before our own.
Love, true love, is not something that simply happens. True love is a great work of art. A beautiful quilt is not something that is constructed overnight. Quilts, like love, require tremendous amounts of patience, determination, and sheer, hard work.
And yes, as in love, things happen with quilts, and no, all of it is not good. People who love one another, may snap at each other. They may have arguments. They may deeply hurt their beloved. By the same token, quilts get old, the fabric grows weaker, and there are places where a seam may tear. Like the velveteen rabbit, the beloved quilt ages.
I love the verse from scripture, “All things work together for good for them that love God.”: Romans 8:28. It does not say all things work together when times are good. It does not say all the bad things in this world are banished. No. It simply says that no matter the circumstance, our Heavenly Father, the most beautiful and divine of quilters, just keeps quilting anyway. He stitches up the broken places. He holds the beleaguered quilt in His heavenly arms and loves it no matter how decrepit it may become.
Lastly, when the quilt can bear no more, He promises that in a new city of Heavenly Lights above, he will replace that old quilt with an eternal and radiant quilt. Yes, we have an awesome God! His vision surpasses all we could ever imagine. The quilter, our God, does make all things new. (Revelation 21:5).
Whatever trials we face, whatever pain we may endure, God is always at work on our behalf. We are cherished and adored. We are loved by the One who is the author of love himself. Praise God!
What a beautiful piece of tapestry we do become in the hands of the Master. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them..Ephesians 2:10
I so very love this message!! Blessings!!!
Blessings to you as well! Thank you for sharing that wonderful quote from Ephesians. It puts our lives in perspective; the work of our hands is always in His hands. 🙂
Amen! Work on, in, and through us Dear Lord!
Amen!
Linda, this is a beautiful analogy! To imagine our bodies as a quilt made lovingly in HIs hands and how He labors over it along the way, binding up the broken edges of our hearts with His tender, yet necessary stitches. And to think, when it is all worn out our heavenly home is waiting where we will be forever made right before Him. Gazing upon and resting in His beauty forever. What a Savior! What a story of redemption He has woven!
God is always binding us together, yes? We are always in need of repair, and He is always there for us. 🙂
Yes, the patchwork often in quilting is a beautiful view of our lives and the journey God designed in them. Love the idea. -Alan
The quilt is ever changing; God’s design is an ongoing work in progress. That is part of the wonder of how He makes all things new.Thank you for sharing!
Great thoughts. My mother was a quilter. Every child, grandchild and great grandchild received their very own unique quilt upon high school graduation. A powerful analogy for me, thanks
What a beautiful gift to bestow on your beloveds! I do not quilt myself, but a quilt represents comfort to me. I greatly appreciate quilters and the work of their hands…one of a kind heirloom treasures to pass on from one generation to the next. Thank you for sharing your mother’s story; it is a legacy of love.
I love the analogy of our body as a quilt that God created! It does help us appreciate it more, and realize that we are each beautiful in our own way. Thank you!
Yes! That is so true…each and every quilt is unique!
I like the quilt metaphor. It’s a good reminder of the care that went into the creation of each and every one of us.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Wonderfully crafted metaphor! There are many similarities between the beloved quilt and ourselves. God brings purpose to each.
Thank you! God has a design for each one of us; He is the master craftsman. His hand is always at work and we can trust the handiwork, even though we do not understand every stitch…each one counts.