A few years ago, I was shocked to discover that I had failed a major exam that I had spent months studying for. As I sat in front of the computer that displayed my result, I felt absolutely devastated. I knew I needed to retake it and didn’t know how I could study for it all over again, and this time, while pregnant, working, and caring for our home.
Although I don’t understand all the reasons I went through that challenging season, I knew deep down that God was in control. That was my saving grace. Without that hope, I may have felt like giving up all together.
This week, I heard the story of Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian woman who helped multiple Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust by hiding them in her family’s home.
Years later, after being imprisoned for her work, she was released and then traveled the world as a public speaker to describe her experiences.
She wrote a poem called, “Life is but a Weaving” that describes life as a tapestry. Often times, God weaves sorrow, like dark threads into a tapestry. Threads of gold and sliver represent good times. The back of the masterpiece looks unfinished and messy with strings hanging at odd lengths. But, when you turn the tapestry around, you see the beautiful handiwork of the creator.
We don’t understand everything that happens in our life, and we may focus on the messy and challenging circumstances that come along in life. Yet, when we realize that God is working for our good, and how everything is weaved together, we can rest in the assurance that he is making everything beautiful in its time.
Let us cling to the promise of Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
~Betsy
Here is the entire poem by Corrie ten Boom:
Life is but a Weaving
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ‘til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.