The Underside of the Tapestry

We all know that life brings each of us seasons.  Seasons of plenty, seasons of lack, seasons of joy, seasons of pain...

I'm a "big picture" kind of person and it helps me a lot to keep things in perspective if I have a good picture in my mind of what's really happening.

When life brings me one of those times when things just aren't the way they "should" be, I remember that I'm not home yet in heaven.  From our viewpoint here on earth, it's like the underside of a tapestry.  We get glimpses but only the Master Weaver can see clearly what's being woven on His side.

I sometimes wonder what good could possibly come from a particular trouble I'm going through.  That's when I remember the knots and frays that are all over the underside of an embroidery.  Perspective is everything and sometimes you just have to trust that God knows what He's doing.

A wonderful christian writer popularized this.  Her name was Corrie Ten Boom, author of The Hiding Place.  She published this poem of unknown origin.  I hope this helps you as it has helped me.

My Life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain 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 His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.