Have you ever seen the movie “The Sound of Music?” I know, who hasn’t!? It’s a family favorite. But have you read The Story of The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp herself? It’s a great read! She has so many life lessons to share. Her story, her testimony have encouraged me, and challenged me, when I read it.
{this post contains affiliate links)
One passage especially touched me. It seemed to speak to me and where I am in life.
“It will be very interesting one day to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry. As long as we live here we see only the reverse side of the weaving, and very often the pattern, with its threads running wildly, doesn’t seem to make sense. Some day, however, we shall understand.”
When life doesn’t seem to be working out the way you had planned, when you just can’t seem to make sense of your circumstances, when the pieces of the puzzle of life don’t seem to fit together, everything looks like a jumbled mess. It can be hard to stand back and look at the big picture and find the beauty in it all.
When I’m working on a piece of embroidery, the back side usually looks horrible. Looking at it closely, you see threads and strings criss-crossing every which way. Not at all attractive. But if you hold it out at arms length, you get a good idea of the design, of how the finished project will look. And then I turn it over and look again at the front. Yes! I see! It’s coming along very nicely! Not finished yet, but it’s really coming together. The colors are blending in a way that starts to bring the scene to life. The background is starting to fill in. Yes, it’ll be lovely displayed there in the living room.
Life is often like this. I see the criss-crossing of mismatched threads and the knots of worry and the twisted bits that don’t seem to belong in the finished product. Because I’m looking at the back side of the Tapestry. But God sees the beautiful finished creation. Oh, how exciting it will be to see my Lord turn my tapestry over and reveal the beauty He has woven.
In this season of life I am understanding better how all the ugliness and difficulties in life have been working together in ways I could not imagine at the time. As Paul says in Romans, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Now, my job is to stop trying to tell The Weaver how to go about working his threads.
Have you been surprised to find beauty among the mess of threads in your tapestry? Please share, I’d love to hear about it!
And now, for a very special announcement: Our Lilla Rose Giveaway was a huge success. I thank all that entered and participated. Your involvement and support has been amazing. And a special and heartfelt thank you goes to my Independent Lilla Rose consultant Amanda Smith. She’s a sweetheart of a gal and she would be pleased to help anyone interested in the Lilla Rose products, which I enthusiastically endorse.
And now, for all that have been awaiting the big news . . .
The Winner Is . . .
Sue H!!! Congratulations, Sue. I know you’re going to love the Lilla Rose Flexi Clip.
sharing today at Titus 2 Tuesday, Titus 2sday, Hip Homeschool Mom, Teach Me Tuesday, Domestically Divine, Raising Arrows, Encourage One Another, Raising Homemakers, Whole Hearted Home, Walking Redeemed, A Little R & R, Domesblissity, Proverbs 31 Thursday, Thrive @ Home, Hope in Every Season, Hearts for Home, Faithful Friday, Fellowship Friday, TGIF
What a beautiful, inspiring post! I have often wondered who wrote those words from Maria Augusta vonTrapp 🙂 I would like to invite you to consider linking up (if you haven’t already) on the link-up party that happens Wednesdays weekly. Your encouragement is sorely needed by many Mamas and women and would be a blessings to the community at Deep Roots! Blessings to you 🙂
Thank you, Jacqueline. I appreciate your sweet comment. I so happy you were inspired here. I believe you are giving that encouragement through your site, it has blessed me over the last year or so. I hope we can encourage each other and spur one another on to good works 😀 and yes, I did join the linky party at Deep Roots at Home – so much inspiration there! Have a blessed week.
God creates a beautiful tapestry out of our lives! Thank you for linking up with Transformed Tuesdays at moretobe.com. Blessings!
God is the first and greatest Artist, isn’t He? And ‘Transformed’ is the perfect adjective for this post. Thanks for stopping by, Barbie, and for hosting the linky party.
I have that book but haven’t read it yet! I need to do that. 🙂
Thanks for linking up at “From House to Home” !
–Gena
I hope you get to this book soon, it’s a wonderful read 🙂 maybe on your winter reading list? This would be a great one to curl up with.
Thanks for sharing that treasure – its so true that we don’t often make sense of that backwards view of our life. Trusting God is the key to knowing it’ll become a meaningful picture that keeps us going.
You are welcome, Lori 🙂 Your are right, trust is key. Life is so beautiful when we allow the Weaver to do His weaving. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment.
Hi,
I am following you from Family Friday Blog Hop. This is a wonderful description of how God works. I have heard the tapestry analogy before but did not know where it came from. I would love if you would link on Sunday to Sunday Stillness – actually it is still open today but Sunday will be a fresh post. We only have links that celebrate how God is working in our lives.
Blessings,
Janis
Hi, Janis 🙂 So glad you stopped in! This tapestry illustration always makes me take a step back and breathe deeply. Thank you for the invitation, I will see you Sunday!
Thanks for linking – hope to see you at Sunday Stillness often.
Blessings,
Janis http://www.janiscox.com
This is such a beautiful post.. Going through a difficult time having lost a precious baby, but I know God has me in His hand and your post is such a lovely reminder of how He’s in control.. Thank you!
Simone, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I’m glad you found encouragement here as you are working through your grief. Hold on, and one day you’ll see more clearly how the threads in this difficult time are being woven into beauty. I’m praying for you today, may God bring comfort and peace.
I am thankful to run across your blog. I have heard an illustration like this before but never could remember all of it. Such a true representation, the Bible verse you used is one of my favorites. God bless you .
The tapestry illustration has stuck with me since the first time I read it. I am glad it encouraged you today. Enjoy your weekend. Blessings!
I love what you have shared here. There have been so many times in my life where I have wondered what is going on and life has felt like a mess. It’s only in time when I am able to look back I see the beautiful tapestry God has created. Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays. Blessings.
Thank you for stopping in and leaving a comment, Mel 🙂 It is hard to see the beauty in the midst of the mess. Life would be more enjoyable if I’d only learn to trust the Designer, even amidst my mess. Have a blessed week!
What a great quote!! And it is so true. What we see now is sometimes not pretty at all – but the finished product will be a masterpiece, if we will just be patient and let the Lord finish the good work he began. Thank you for linking up with A Little R & R Wednesdays!
Ah, yes, patience. I’m spending a life time learning that lesson. I’ve enjoyed discovering your blog, as well. I look forward to seeing you again soon! Have a blessed week 🙂
You have such a nice blog and I am so glad I stopped by for a visit. Thanks for sharing this over at WholeHearted Wednesdays last week.
Thank you, Judith 🙂 I always am encouraged by the things you share on your site. I look forward to many more visits in the future. Have a blessed week!
Linda, this post is beautiful. It literally just about had me crying. I am featuring it on the link-up this week. Bless you, friend!
Oh, Kasey, you bless me. How wonderful it is that we can reach across the miles and touch each others lives – I’m honored.