Tangled Threads

Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-5

Marta sat down on the couch beside her mother and glanced at the needlepoint canvas she was working on. “Oh, cool!” said Marta. “That’s going to be the cover for the pillow you made for my bed, isn’t it? Is it almost finished?”

“Not yet,” said Mom, “but it’s getting there.” She turned the canvas over and cut a thread.

“Wow!” said Marta. “It doesn’t look so good on the back side—just a big tangle of threads.” She grinned. “Be sure you don’t put it on inside out!”

Mom laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

After sitting quietly for a few minutes, Marta had a question. “Mom, I still miss Grandpa a lot. I just don’t understand why God didn’t make him get better! We prayed and prayed for him, but he died anyway.”

Mom squeezed Marta’s hand. “I know you miss him, honey. We all do. I don’t know why the Lord took Grandpa to heaven instead of giving him more time here with us, but…” Mom paused and held up her needlework so Marta could see the back of the canvas again. “As you pointed out, this side of the picture isn’t very pretty.” She turned the cloth over to the finished side.

“That side is much better,” said Marta. “I love the little frogs in that picture. They’re so cute!”

“Yes, they are—even though I’m not finished yet.” Mom laid the needlework back in her lap and looked at Marta. “Some things that happen to us—or to those we love—look like the tangled threads on the wrong side of a needlepoint picture,” she said softly. “But God sees the right side. His picture of our lives isn’t finished yet, and He knows what threads are needed to make it beautiful. We need to trust Jesus to work out every part just right.”

“I’ll try,” said Marta. She picked up her mom’s needlework and smiled. “Once this is finished and on my bed, the frogs in the picture will remind me to trust God with my life, even when things happen that I don’t understand.” – Richard S. Maffeo

How About You?

Has something sad happened in your life? Is it hard to understand why God allows those kinds of things to happen? When things happen that you don’t understand, trust that God is using them for good, even though you can’t see it. He loves you and will always be there to help you through the hard times, and one day you’ll be able to see the beautiful picture He’s made of your life.

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Trust Jesus in everything