Last Friday Marilyn and I traveled to Amish Country. These visits are becoming a regular spring and fall event for us, along with her sister, Connie, and her father, Wayne. This trip however, carried more meaning than past visits. Marilyn’s mother, Naomi, lost her battle with cancer over three years ago, leaving a hole in the fabric of our family. She was the quintessential farm wife, mom and grandmother. Forever busy without being hurried or tense, she simply stayed at her tasks… never stopping until it was time to sleep. Like the Amish, she humbly and quietly worked at life with reverent intention. She was sought-after as a professional seamstress, who, when not sewing for others, quilted profusely, leaving her family with dozens of beautiful quilts.
Naomi quilted to the very end… leaving a final, unfinished quilt. That quilt, like our family, was left incomplete… folded in a closet… without the intricate hand-applied stitching that transforms discarded pieces of fabric into incredible works of art. Wayne—a profoundly spiritual man who simply loves the right things— instinctively knew his beloved wife would want the quilt finished. And so our journey to Amish Country had a deeply important purpose. He and “the girls” had done their research and determined to commission Katie Troyer, an Amish quilter, to finish the intricate hand stitching.
As we made our way through the rolling hills of Holmes County, Connie held directions that read, “Just go out of Berlin and turn on my road and go until you find us. You can ask anyone, they will know where we live”. The beauty and simplicity of the farms transported us to a simpler, more wholesome time. We found the Troyer home and it was Amish-simple, meticulously and lovingly maintained. Katie was charming and invited us in. Everything in its place; hats and work clothes hung on wooden pegs lit by gas lamps plumbed into the ceiling. A huge quilting frame dominated the work room. Marilyn and Connie cooed adoringly as they reverently brushed their hands over thousands of intricate hand applied stitches gracing Katie’s current project. They beamed, knowing they were leaving mom’s quilt in good hands.
Isn’t it good to know you’re in good hands? To see and experience the goodness of God and realize He holds us in His compassionate and powerful hands?
The health of a relationship is based on “safety”. Our natural tendency is to walk comfortably with those we feel safe, those who bring good things into the relationship.
Read James 1:17
- Have you ever considered your relationship with God from this perspective?
- Do you trust God with your wellbeing, or do you feel as though you must take care of yourself?
- Stop and consider some “good and perfect gifts” God has given you personally.
- Do you ever consider that God has only your good in mind?
- Consider areas that you might trust God more.
Read Colossians 3:12-17
- Verse 12 speaks of characteristics that a person who is relationally healthy puts on like clothes: what are they?
- Have you ever considered that these same characteristics (compassion, kindness, humility gentleness and patience) all describe how God relates to you?
- Using these same characteristics as a check-list, how is your heart toward God? Toward others?
- Verse 15 speaks of being called to peace. Have you considered lately what brings you to peace?
Remember we are not good at recognizing our relational shortcomings. But when we do, the godly response is to:
1. Repent (agree with God that we were wrong) and ask forgiveness.
2. Pray for wisdom to walk out our relationships in godly health
Lord, only you know what’s best for us each day. Only you know what we should say and do to experience peace with you and others. I pray you’ll grant me wisdom to put your clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
“As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.” Jeremiah 26:14