"Takin' Time Out"

 

Definition:  a piece of thick textile fabric with pictures or designs formed by weaving colored threads or by embroidering on canvas, used as a wall hanging or furniture covering.  It is also used in reference to an intricate or complex combination of things or sequence of events.

 

Sitting here “Takin Time Out” and glaring at my computer screen while sipping on a fresh cup of nicely brewed cup English hot tea.  I am also, enjoying listening to the soothing drops of rain falling on our rooftop and ever so often the roll of thunder and a flash of lightening bursts from the heavens above.  What a nice way to spend this beautiful June evening.  I love rain and I thought about blogging rain this week but decided on TAPESTRY.  Yes I said TAPESTRY and I know for some it might sound a bit odd but please agree to continue reading as I will try to explain why.

 

How many of you have had the chance to view some very old beautiful, ornate pieces of TAPESTRY?  Perhaps they hung in a museum, a historical home or old castle.  I think of the long hours someone spent and the vision they had in their head as they threaded the needle and began with each stitch creating their masterpiece on that piece of canvas.  Many pieces I have seen are quite large and it is truly fascinating to me.  As I have grown older, I truly appreciate art, talent and the patience that person had to finish the piece for others to enjoy for generations to come.  The intricate detail is so amazing.

 

However, have you ever flipped it over and seen the back side of a beautiful piece of TAPESTRY?  The underside is not so pretty.  It usually has loose threads hanging, some are dark, some are interwoven and clumped together. It is simply a hodgepodge and there is truly no rime or reason to any form of art and clearly does not look at all like the front.  Why is that?

 

As I envision this beautiful piece of TAPESTRY it reminds me so clearly of life in general.  How we have friends, family, loved ones or perhaps it is oneself.  They appear to have it all together?  From the outside peering in they live the perfect life, drive the latest car, have the ideal family, work at their favorite job, very successful and the general public thinks they are truly happy, free spirited and oh so beautiful.   Yes they may have circumstances that interfere from time to time yet they keep it together.  However, if you would flip to the backside and look deep inside their inner soul, they are faced with a raging battle.  For some it may be an addiction, guilt, over indulgence, low self-esteem, acceptance, needing unconditional love, they encounter a major failure and are fighting depression.  For most people who know them they keep this under wrap and portray the beauty of the TAPESTRY from the outside. Yet on the inside they are dealing with desperate turmoil. 

 

Many times this person could be a very good friend or loved one and yes you don’t even know the pain this person is feeling.  Then one day it happens, the mask is removed and tragedy happens.  They take their own life.  Shock sets in and no one truly understands.  How could this be?  Why?  Oh how selfish one must think…it is so painful yet so real.  The tears and turmoil is then left to those who loved that person so dearly.  And you keep asking yourselves why. The dark strands from the underside, the knots and clumps of thread and hodgepodge have finally won their battle.  One friend recite’s a clip from her favorite movie, “They just had a bad day!”

 

Friends and family are left to pick up the pieces slowly…Precious memories are imbedded in each one’s heart and mind.  Carole King’s album,”TAPESTRY” has so many great hits from ‘70s that relate to life and circumstances.  Music can be so soothing to the soul.

 

For me personally, my faith and reading of scripture help fill the void.  Colossians 2:2-3 seems so fitting, “I want you woven into a TAPESTRY of love, in touch with everything there is to know of God.  Then you will have minds confident and at rest, focused on Christ, God’s great mystery.  All the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are embedded in that mystery and nowhere else.  And we’ve been shown the mystery.”

 

I also love the poem written by an amazing women Corrie Ten Boom, I feel it must too be shared:

Life is but a Weaving” (the TAPESTRY Poem)

 

“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.”

 

I usually try to write about uplifting words, events and circumstances.  However, reality has set in this week and I felt it is important to share we never know what tomorrow holds and perhaps we must stop a minute, evaluate our priorities while “Takin Time Out”. Ask yourself have you passed by an opportunity in our busy schedules to tell those we love the most how much we care, how much we love them and how much we enjoy spending time?  I know I am guilty of not truly embracing the NOW, my mind is always racing towards the next project or letting guilt set in and not truly enjoying the moment I am in.  Today I begin again to breathe ever so deeply, count my blessings and pray for those who are struggling.  May we look at life from the front side of the TAPESTRY and remember the radiant beauty, the gift of life, friends, family and loved ones…we are all interwoven in this world to be there for one another…Until next time my dear friends please let those who are near and dear know how you feel as you may not have a next time! Blessings abound even in the most unfortunate circumstances…