Dark and Light

Just as a quilt is not stitched in a day, life takes time.  As I return to what two years ago promised to be a grand adventure, I reflect on all that has happened during that time.  While the rich textures of  family, friends and faith continue to be woven together in priceless patterns, I must confess that at times, my crazy quilt life has felt pretty frayed.  It is as if the seams have been stretched and pulled; pieces I thought to be permanent, ripped out mercilessly. Darker colors have found their way into the patchwork of my life.  My heart has been pricked as the needle moved in and out of the heavy fabrics of pain, change, separation, and loss. There were times I wrapped myself in dirty rags of self-reliance, anger, and fear, refusing to find comfort or peace in the Master Quilter's workmanship.  There were times I doubted that even He could make anything beautiful out of all the ugly scraps of life.

Ah!  But now, as always, when I choose to see it, there is the shining white thread of Amazing Grace, weaving all the shades of dark and light together.  I see now, mixed with the darker fabrics, the bright colors of triumph and promise, the soft shades of forgiveness and hope, the brilliance of adventure and freedom.  I see intricate embroidery woven in the blood-red thread of Unfailing Love, overlying the seams, lending beauty and strength.  I see, here and there, a pure crystal, sparkling among the shadows, tears that fell from the Master as He wept over me in the dark days.  And through it all, He ever so gently stitched together a masterpiece more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.

And so, today, I invite you once again to join me in my Crazy Quilt Life!  Grab your favorite Peanut Butter treat, cozy up in your favorite blanket, and let's see what awesome patterns the Master Quilter can make out of all the colors and fabrics of our lives.