Seamless Transition

My husband and I recently returned from a few days at the beach.  Even though the beach is one of my favorite places to be, it is always good to be home.  I was telling someone one morning after we returned how I wished I could just "drop in" at the beach for a day or two about once a month.  There would be no packing or unpacking.  No exits, just arrivals.  No settling in, just taking it in. No catching up, just staying in step.  I would prefer a seamless transition from my front porch to the beach!

Sometimes I think that is how my life has been, a seamless transition from when I was twenty-five to where I am today, seventy.  The transition has not always been smooth or without a few rips and tears, maybe a gathered sleeve or an uneven hem along the way.  There were years when I think I had a pattern and other years when I was only sewing a crooked seam or even sewing "in the ditch."  Often as I've worked my own design it was like I was using a pattern with pieces of the pattern missing.  My least favorite part of sewing are those times when you just have to do it over.  I've had my share of "do overs" as well.

Sometimes life appeared to "fit" but the inside seams were obvious as I seemed to be wearing my life inside out.  Many days were like trying on a dress that had been pinned together or just "basted" at best, as I carefully tried it on without the pins sticking me, taking one tentative step after another.

And now here I am with a wrinkled "dress," faded and worn, a bit tattered in places, and with more than a few patches.  Although I know the pattern for my finished garment was designed before I was born, I still find myself trying to fit the pieces together.  Even at my age I seldom have the seams straight and some days I continue to look for a pattern piece.   

One thing I have learned is that the fabric of my life must be washed by the Word, over and over and over again.  It's in God's Word where I find my stabilizer and the tension of my stitches is adjusted perfectly.  Thank you God for your patience as I am still trying to get myself put together!

"For you created my inmost being; you knit be together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)