Whether one rends their clothing, rends friendship with the world (James 4:4), or God rends the heavens, it’s now time to put things together. It’s time to sew or mend.
Recently, I texted our youngest daughter about a picture my wife and I were looking for, which I know I had sent. Unable to find it, she sent me this message:
“Would it be on you and me thread? Me, you and Mami thread? Me, you and Milky thread? Me, you, Milky and Andy thread? Me, you, and Andy thread? Me, you, Milky, Andy, and Mami thread?”
I responded with, “I can’t find it on any thread! Not even the needle!” Talk about finding a needle in a haystack!
Lots of threads, no needle, therefore, little sewing! Scripture tells us there’s a time to stitch things up. We can’t just rend and rend. There must be a time to sew things up. Every one of these topics, confirms there are two sides to every coin. Life isn’t only about the good all the way, or the bad forever. There’s a combination of both. Lots of people can’t cope with life because maybe they’re used to always having things going their way. They don’t know hardship. Some may not even know what labor/work is. Maybe everything’s been handed to them. When trials come, they fold.
On the other hand, some people are so accustomed to everything going wrong, they can’t fathom a change. That’s why these “Times” were written; to give us hope.
Well, our son had a girlfriend-an extremely jealous one. After seeing a picture of another girl on his phone, without asking who she was, etc. she took a pair of scissors and cut up about 65 of his jeans, like those with more holes than material! There was no way to sew those guys up! She may have started the holey pants movement! I think buyers say, “Hey, I’m gonna buy me some holes with denim on them!” Maybe they’re a good example of rending and sewing!
But that’s a tragic cultural thing here. Unlike in the states where 2-3 people can go for a cup of coffee, or where people can have friends of the opposite sex, that doesn’t happen here. Even as boyfriends, each knows they’re bound by unwritten laws that stipulate “you’re mine until I say so, and God help you if you’re with anyone else.” That’s why one reads so many tragic stories of females gone missing and the number one suspect usually being the ex.
So, we can repair relationships. We can mend old ways. Mending fences, or patching things up with others can be the start of something good. What about sewing our torn ways with God? Adam and Eve failed Him! They disobeyed His command to stay away from the Tree of Good and Evil and when they realized their sin, they were ashamed and sewed fig leaves to hide their nakedness before God (Genesis 2:16; 3:4-7). So much for becoming like God knowing good and evil! We can do better now that we know the consequences of sin.
God also wants us to be wise in how we sew/mend. The Bee Gees sang, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? And, Fanny (Be Tender with My Love) (1971, 1975 respectively). Let’s mend broken hearts! But what about MY broken heart? Who’s going to mend it? “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken” (Psalms 34:18-20). He’s got you covered. Find your thread! Sew with knowledge. If that’s your gift, sew with joy to the Lord! Laugh! He’ll have you in stitches!
God Bless,
Sam
Recommended Song: Song Of A Broken Heart by Casting Crowns