“Now gather the scraps,” Jesus told his disciples, “so that nothing is wasted.” John 6:12 TLB
As I was sitting in my rocker this morning, praying about this post, I asked the Holy Spirit to pour His words into my heart.
(When I looked at my words, I didn’t find any that seemed to fit.)
It was a little after 3 a.m., and I was enjoying my first cup of tea for the day.
This is my custom, and my favorite part of my morning; sitting with Jesus and chatting about the new opportunities in this day, and where He might want to lead me.
I kept thinking of that verse in Proverbs 25:11,
A well-spoken word at just the right moment
is like golden apples in settings of silver. (The Voice)
“Is that You Holy Spirit?”
When life breaks apart
I asked Him, “LORD, I think a lot of people are hurting right now, and I’m not sure I know how to comfort them. What can I say? What words will soothe their broken hearts?”
That’s when my eyes fell on one of my favorite possessions lying across the foot of the bed.
It’s a very small lap quilt I made last year when I was trying to heal from a broken ankle, my life on hold; and me, bored out of my mind.
(Apparently, they call them lap quilts because the don’t cover much more than your legs, and your lap.
They are only made of bits and pieces of this and that.
My soul’s “Bits and Pieces”
That’s when the Holy Spirit reminded me of the bible verse above,
“Now gather the scraps,” Jesus told his disciples, “so that nothing is wasted.”
This little quilt (I love) is made up of just that–nothing but scraps.
There are small pieces gathered from past quilt projects, curtains made, pillows, rugs, and the like.
And, I must not forget the “remnants,” the castoffs other people gave me–small pieces of fabric that they no longer saw any value in.
All in all, not much to look at when you see all these scraps, tossed willy-nilly into my scrap box!
Treasure from castaways
I need to mention, my treasured little lap quilt also has some small and lovely quilted angels and hearts (made by other hands,) of other people’s scrapped-out quilts called, “cutters.”
Cutters, are old quilts that are full of holes, worn places, and stains.
Most see only trash.
But, you just can’t believe some of the beautiful, and ingenious little things gifted crafters can make, from these old castaways.
I now have their beautiful, and carefully crafted angel and heart pieces, appliqued onto my project…
And, the end result is stunning!
Gazes into my soul
I wondered, “Is this what Jesus sees as He gazes into my soul?”
Bits and pieces of my life.
- All the disappointments
- The betrayals
- The broken dreams
- The lost relationships
The things that I often see as “nothing worthwhile” in my scraps.
Old scars–NEW HOPE
But, then I thought of you… the ones I write to each week.
- I thought of this blog!
- The prayers I pray for you.
- The hopes and dreams I dream for you!
- All stitched together in my writing.
I suddenly saw this blog is just like my little quilt.
Bits and pieces of my life. The scraps that Jesus and I gather each week to share–me hoping, Jesus knowing, what each “scrap” will accomplish out there somewhere, wherever you are.
And, I guess that’s really what I hope and pray will bring comfort to you right now. That Jesus, who gazes into your soul, can see nothing but beauty, where you might see ashes?
He is the One who can take all your scraps, all your broken pieces, and make something new; something beautiful; something unique and lovely, out of all you are going through right now.
As Jesus gazes into your soul…
I hope you can hear Him whispering words of hope that say to you,
- Life is not over… only changed.
- Your future holds new dreams, new joys, new hopes.
- Just trust Me–as we gather the scraps.
- I have wonderful plans for you.
- Nothing is wasted.
Someday, you too, will bring “apples of gold” on silver trays, to others, from all the hard things you are going through right now.
It is a true and faithful saying:
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 the message
I’ve lived those words for myself–so, I know–they’re absolutely true!
Women With Destiny 