Recalling the phrase, “When Life Hands Your Scraps Make a Quilt,” I fumbled through the scrap bin searching for snippets of red printed fabric. Using the leftovers from a previous project, I ironed, measured, and cut the pieces into 2.5-inch squares. The verse “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) replayed through my mind. I sewed the tiny squares together into strips and repeated the process. Slowly, the heart pattern began to take shape.
It would take months before the pattern of my new life would take shape. Trust was the word God embedded in my heart for 2016 long before the health crisis appeared.
Over the next few months, I completed five quilt blocks. Each block represented a different verse that God employed to speak into my life during this unexpected season of grief and affliction. Sewing and pondering over each verse was therapeutic.
Cool Threads Block: “You hem me in – behind and before; you laid you hand upon me….My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together…” (Psalm 139:5, 15).
Canning Season Block: “The Lord preserves the faithful” (Psalm 31:23).
Baking Day Block: “Taste and see the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:8).
Woolly Sheep Block: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul” (Psalm 23).
[bctt tweet=”When Life Hands You Scraps, Make a Quilt- RedChairMoments.com” username=”inspireafire”]
What began as a humble way to occupy my mind and my time during a time of uncertainty, turned into great form of therapy- sew therapy. Each time I picked up the fabric scraps, I examined its usefulness in this new project, recognizing God was doing the very same thing in my life. I pondered and recited these five verses with each fabric selection and stitch.
Now that the kids are back in school, I’ve committed to finish quilting these pieced blocks. This is simple sewing project represents my trust that the Lord will to continue finish the good work He started in me, to rest and take refuge in Him while He preserves and restores my life.
The heart pattern can be found on my Pinterest page @RedChairMoments.
The farm patterns are from Farm Girl Vintage by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet.
~April Dawn White
*Images courtesy of author. *All Scripture NIV from BibleGateway.com
© 2016 April Dawn White, All rights reserved
April I love this! I especially loved your interpretation of Psalm 139. I’ve often thought of the Lord hedging me in before and behind as a hug – completely surrounded by His love. Thank you for sharing this and your beautiful sew therapy 🙂
This is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing.