A Purpose

REJOICE!

Each season has its own wonder,
its own special place and purpose
in the pattern of God's creation.

A Pattern of Love

A pattern of thorns placed upon a brow
Unveiling a crown, dignity not to allow.
A pattern of heading up Calvary’s hill
Steep and roughed as to break one’s will.

A pattern of pillage of the mind and flesh
Taunting and mocking to amply enmesh
A pattern of rejection encased on a tree
Gnarled and crooked, no beauty to see.

A pattern of royalty hung between thieves
Seizing a moment of overwhelming griefs
A pattern of nails driven in a pure hand
Revealing the cruelty of the cynical man.

A pattern of blood gushing from a King’s side
Piercing the spirit, humility no room to abide
A pattern of a robe engaged in a game
Soldiers gambling lots, to the owner’s defame.

Then comes a pattern of mercy and grace
Because of Calvary, transgressions to erase
For a pattern of love died for our sins to depart
Devotion designed in our God’s own heart.

A Pattern of Love, written by Karen Hopper

Trust the Master Weaver

When gray threads mar life’s pattern,
and it seems so out of line,
Trust the Master Weaver
who planned the whole design.
For in life’s choicest patterns,
some dark threads must appear,
To make the rose threads fairer,
the gold more bright can clear.
The pattern may seem intricate,
and hard to understand,
But trust the Master Weaver
and His steady, guiding Hand.

* Poem is courtesy of Hallmark greeting cards

Keep Sewing On

I just became the proud owner of a new sewing machine. It has been 27 years since I've had a new machine. In fact, for the last two years, I haven't had one at all. What would necessitate that I buy one now? Projects - namely, window coverings, a Pergola cover, to mention a few. With its purchase I started to think. About what? Well, the making of garments, and the importance in a covering.

As mothers, our greatest commission is to prepare our children for life. The 31st Proverbs talks of a virtuous woman - a woman who gave much thought in readying her family for the various seasons. She knew there would be days when storms would rise - when hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes would appear in an attempt to destroy her children. We, like this woman, must ready our children for such times. We must design our patterns through prayer, and sow the garments with threads woven in peace. Then, when the elements beat with all their fury against our precious ones, we will have the assurance that the enemy cannot destroy them. Yes, it will take hours, weeks, months and years of preparation - time we could spend doing things for ourselves, doing what we want - but, I for one, want to make sure my loved ones are covered - as I am sure you do.

What are the instructions to make these special garments?

Believe in His Word each and every day. Have faith for His keeping. Implant in your children's hearts a desire to serve Him. Saturate them with love and thankfulness. Teach them to pray and read Biblical stories. Reward them for good works. Discipline them with wisdom. Strive to be a godly example.

The storms are brewing round-about us - getting stronger with every day. How do I know? Just listen to its sounds, and read of its destruction. It is imperative that we sew through the day and during the night. We must fill our children's closets with life's needed garments, ensuring that they will be wrapped in proper clothing so that life will not devour them. We must Keep Sewing On.