For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ…indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.
—1 Corinthians 12:12,14
My Mom is a very talented woman. She is an all-star baker, chef, gardener, Do-It-Yourselfer, basket-weaver, painter, “World’s Greatest Mom”, and the list goes on and on. One of her favorite hobbies is quilting. Sewing doll clothes as a child and her own clothes as a teenager, she came to quilting later in life. She made me my first quilt when I graduated from high school, as she did for my sister and brother following. Another one for each of us when we each graduated from college. Over the years table runners, wall hangings, pot holders, Christmas tree skirts, and more have all been added to our collections. They are all treasured and irreplaceable.
The one in the image currently hangs on the front door of my home and I thought it’d be appropriate to share for this St. Patrick’s Day. An emerald wreath made up of bits and scraps of clover-themed fabrics. Each placed and sewn in carefully, stitch-by-stitch. My Mom, the artist, carefully placing each cut into a small masterpiece. It has been a nice sign of welcome and fond memories every time I come home and see that on the door.
I see God in quilts – not just because they remind me of my Mom and her abundant love, but because they remind me of God’s people. Are we not all just “scraps” from all walks of life that God has sewn together in one big and beautiful masterpiece? A scrap from this bin and another from that box all connected with love as the thread, we compliment and encourage each other. We have a story to tell; a picture to paint.
I’m reminded of a song that paraphrases the scripture you read at the beginning of today’s devotion. “We Are Many Parts” by Marty Haugen (also the composer of “Holden Evening Prayer” – our theme and focus this Lent in our Virtual Vespers), encapsulates First Corinthians 12:12-27 quite eloquently. In the refrain, he writes: “We are many parts, we are all one body. And the gifts we have we are given to share. May the spirit of love make us one indeed. One, the love that we share; One, our hope in despair; One, the cross that we bear.”
Prayer
God, you knit us together as Your people, calling us to act with justice, to love tenderly, to serve one another, and to walk humbly with You. We thank You for “quilts” that remind us of love – that keep us warm, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Help us share the warmth of Your love with others. Amen.
Your mom is much like mine. Both are/were ” do it all” women as well as quilters. All of my siblings an me have heirloom quilts our mom made, as well as both of my sons. This devotional brought back so much to mind. Thank you for that.