Lessons Learned at My Sewing Machine

By Denise Crites

Frustration sometimes happens  during a sewing project:  an empty bobbin in the middle of a tricky seam, broken needles,  failure to baste when the instructions say baste,  failure to press when the instructions say press,  interruptions(!), and, of course, having to use a seam ripper one too many times.

Today I needed to repair an obvious flaw in a project.  The best repair would have been to take the item apart and begin that step in the instructions again.  I did not want to do that.  I wanted this project to be done so that I could move on to the next one!  I really thought I could fix the problem(I always think I can fix the problem!)by just taking out an inch or so of stitching, gather the access and re-stitch it.  Then use my trusty  steam iron and make it perfect.  Well, that didn’t happen the way I planned.  I tried several times and nothing came together.  The flaw is still there.  In fact, I think I made it worse.  

In the middle of this, it came to me that I tend to want to do the same thing in my spiritual life.  So often when the Holy Spirit points out sin in my life, I want the quick fix or easy answer.  God looks at my awful attitudes, my need to control, and my tendency to spend too much time concerned with things of this world; and He says, Denise, I want these “flaws” eliminated.  I don’t want you to disguise them or make half-hearted attempts to fix them.  I want them gone! I want you to want them gone too!

You see it is my choice to either continue trying to repair my flaws with quick fixes(and never really being satisfied with the outcome)or I can submit to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, repent, and commit to cooperating with the Spirit’s working in my life to remove imperfections.  Oh, it is encouraging to realize that we serve a God who wants us to succeed!  He is on our side and will do for us what we can’t do for ourselves!  He asks for a heart that is willing to change.

Psalm 56:9  Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help.  By this I will know that God is for me.  

Philippians 2:12-13  …continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

II Peter 1:3-4  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.  Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Just a seeking seamstress,

Denise