Counted Cross Stitch and the Circle of Life
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Psalm 136
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 2. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 4. to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 5. to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 6. to him who spread out the earth upon the waters, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 7. to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 8. the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 9. the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 10. to him who smote the first-born of Egypt, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 11. and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 12. with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 13. to him who divided the Red Sea in sunder, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 14. and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 15. but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 16. to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 17. to him who smote great kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 18. and slew famous kings, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 19. Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 20. and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 21. and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 22. a heritage to Israel his servant, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 23. It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 24. and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures for ever; 25. he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures for ever. 26. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures for ever.
I had originally intended to take out some of the verses of this psalm so it wasn’t so long, but I just couldn’t do it! This recounting of all the ways God steadfastly cared for His people is important and reminded me of Bible tales I have learned that were meaningful and important to me throughout my life. So I left it intact, and hope you’re not deterred by the length of the passage.
During my walk with my buddy this morning we had a conversation about how God uses painful experiences in our past to empower and enable us to minister to others in a similar situation in the here and now. So he brings full circle each of the experiences in our lives. It’s His divine plan that we are unable and perhaps unwilling to see and know at the time. I kept thinking of the “Circle of Life” from the movie, The Lion King. Sharing our stories helps others but it also reminds us that this Circle of Life God has planned is bigger than any of us.
Our lives are so intricately woven together with threads spun in heaven, and we have no idea what the next stitch will be, or how important it will become in the future. Years ago I enjoyed counted cross stitch. I made a couple of beautiful pieces, but it is very tedious and time consuming and I no longer have the eyesight or the manual capability to make those tiny stitches. One thing I learned when working on the pieces, it was important to constantly refer to the instructions, and to continually count and recount stitches as they’re made, so the end product turns out as planned. Hummmm. Am I reaching too much here? That is what I think about when I read each of these mighty, wonderful acts of God in the lives of His people listed in this way.
I wonder how we would feel about every situation in our lives if as we recounted our life story, after each episode we recited “for his steadfast love endures forever.” Try it. Stop right now and think of the milestones in your life – sad and joyous – and as you tick off each one, say “for his steadfast love endures forever”. Whether you had your heart broken, or you celebrated the birth of child. No matter if you received that promotion you have labored long and hard to receive, or you took a trip around the world. . . . interject that phrase after recounting each one.
That’s how we see our lives as an intricate tapestry, or a counted cross stitch. In order to stay on track, we need to constantly stop, count, check the instructions (the Bible) and count again. Viewing our lives as a chapter in God’s great plan helps us through the tough times and makes the good times even more joyous.
My prayer today is that you remember His steadfast love endures forever. And that you view each victory and defeat as a part of the grand circle of life.
Mary
