Little Things

My hobby is sewing and machine embroidery.  Recently I began working on a quilted table topper for my kitchen.  I am very excited about this thing and because of a BIG sale was able to purchase the fabrics to complete not only the topper but curtains and chair covers as well.

As I stitched along, my embroidery machine started making annoying clicking sounds.  Before long, the clicking turned into clunking and then the fabric was shredding and the machine was sounding very much like my first car – before a piston snapped and the engine caught on fire!

I had just had the machine serviced and could not figure out why it would be making such horrendous noises.  I opened up the throat plate and I rotated the shuttle.  I removed the embroidery unit and inspected the cutter mechanism.  I fiddled, poked, checked online and fretted.

As I sat and lamented another bill, I thought, maybe I should change the needle.  For those who don’t sew, perhaps this would not occur to you, but to a sewer, that is one of the first things to do in times such as these.

Sure enough, the needle was about as sharp as a popscicle stick.  Not a very efficient way to have it move through layers of fabric and batting.  I removed the old needle and replaced it with one that slid through like a hot knife in butter.

As I breathed a sigh of relief and a prayer of thanksgiving, I thought about how often I react this way.  When challenges and trials come into my life, it is not uncommon for me to prepare for the worst when many times, the issue stems from some seemingly insignificant detail that can be corrected (although not always as easily as replacing a needle).

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.

First and foremost, if we are seeking God, He will help us with whatever is before us.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given to him.

When I take my eyes off God and focus on my own power and strength to achieve a goal or accomplish as task, I am risking missing God’s best for me.  God’s greatest desire is that we should love Him and desire to live for Him.  It stands to reason that if we are willing to seek Him out and to trust His answer, that He will abundantly bless us.  Sometimes, God allows us to face the little things in order to prepare us for something bigger that lays ahead.

Matthew 25:14 – 30 tells the story of a man who was going on a journey.  He entrusted three of his servants with money during his absence.  On his return, two had made investments and returned a profit.  The third, afraid of the responsibility, buried the coin and accomplished nothing.  The master chastised the man but the others he commended, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!”

God’s blessing lays in our  willingness to trust Him in even the little things.  Where are you placing your trust?