Frayed Beauty

Sitting at the dining room table I stare, unfocused, at the woven tapestry that sits in the center. Many things are weighing heavy on my mind as my fingers rub the tassels that edge the artful piece. In the tapestry, amid the colorful strands, I see the weavings of my own life. It seems that about as quickly as I weave the thread of another life experience or new person into the tapestry, that there is something already tugging at the strings, snagging and unraveling them.

It has happened so often that it phases me less and less. I know just what to do. I scoop up the frayed fabric that is my life and lay it gently across my bed. Gingerly I reweave the threads back into the tapestry, tying the knots of my challenging times and broken relationships into place. I am ever hopeful that the fabric will be whole again, at least as it can be viewed from the outside.

The thing is, from the front, the tapestry looks suitable to the onlooker. It’s the facade that I allow others to see. It’s the illusion that everything is just fine. Yet, turn the fabric over, and the backside is a different picture, all together. The reverse side shows the random knots and stretched threads where I have had to make repairs. Reweaving the tapestry of my life is necessary to represent the changes, the loss of relationships, and the many hardships that have come and gone from my life.

My life is an intricate tapestry, woven with a rainbow of colors and tangible textures. Each thread represents a person, experience or memory that is or has been a part of me. Some are brighter than others, signifying those times when life seemed to be going my way. There are times when the threads take a darker hue, representing those times when I have endured hardships and significant losses.

My tapestry is full of a myriad of colors, imperfections and unique details. The joys and blessings have created this design, as have my suffering and disappointments. Each person in my life has a special thread whose texture and color best represent our life together. Some threads are longer than others, representing the many years we have graced one another’s lives. There are shorter threads, too, for those people who have come into my life for just a season, only to be gone just as quickly. Each of these threads are imperfect, needing knots to repair my life tapestry when challenges have descended upon it.

If you look closely, you will notice there is a thread that weaves through everything. It holds all the threads of the tapestry in place, creating continuity among it all. This is the thread of the Creator who has been present through all the challenges and joys in my life. It is the only thread that has never needed to be repaired. The only thread that doesn't get tangled up as my life falls apart.

This Thread is the One I turn to be anchored in my faith, and to seek the much-needed support when things begin to unravel. The Creator promises to be present with me, no matter what. The Prophet Isaiah spoke saying, “Do not fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, CEB)

I am ever grateful for this supportive Thread that weaves into all aspects of my life. Without the Creator to cling to in hard times, I would wander aimlessly, unsure what my next steps should be. Where to go. Whom to trust. When a relationship has seen its full course or not. God guides me in these and all things.

As I repair my tattered tapestry, I cling to the promise the Lord makes by saying, “Look! I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5, CEB) The mending from God strengthens me for the journey that is my life. And the Creator has been doing this for me since before I was even born. “You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.” (Psalm 139: 13-14, CEB)

And even if my life remains a tangled mess, if my tapestry is full of knots and unwoven threads, I know it’s not the end. When my days on Earth are done, still new and wondrous things await me in the Eternal Kingdom as I weave a fresh and glorious tapestry there, a place where no repair knots are necessary.

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT

What does your tapestry look like? Do you notice the supportive thread of the Creator? If not, how about asking God to do life with you? Having the Creator for support can make all the difference when we seek to connect in such a way. If so, spend a moment being thankful for all the threads of God's support you see in your life tapestry. If you like, respond below with how God has been supportive for you. I would love to hear from you!

The Apostle Paul reminds us that: “We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to God’s purpose.” (Romans 8:28, CEB) In ALL things, God works for good. Your life tapestry is good, because God is a part of it! What a beautiful creation your tapestry is to behold!

PRAYER

Creator God, thank You for Your never-ending presence in my days and nights. Continue to guide me in all aspects of my life. Show me the glorious colors that Your love weaves in the joys and sorrows of my life. With You in my tapestry, even the difficult things become manageable and beautiful for me. Thank You! Amen.

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