“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

These days have been filled with stitching. 

Needle pierces fabric; a tiny sword piercing flesh, “penetrating…the deepest parts of our nature.” Needle goes down, pulling crimson thread behind. Sword piercing flesh drawing blood and “crushing in my bones” (Psa. 42:10). “My inner self thirst for God, for the living God.” (Psa. 42:2).

Needle pierces fabric; tiny sword emerging from flesh. Needle comes up, pulling crimson thread behind. Sword stained with blood of “joints and marrow.” Exposing. Sifting. Analyzing.

Thoughts. Purposes. Motivations. From “the deepest parts of our nature.”

Blood is everywhere; pouring out of every prick and pierce of sword. Crimson mess of pain and crushing and heaviness. I am dizzy from the loss of blood. “Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? When shall I come and behold the face of God?” (Psa. 42:9, 2).

Needle goes down again, crimson thread in tow. Sword pierces flesh again, touching depths of trust and reliance. Needle comes up again, crimson thread following. Sword stained, but — the gush is slowing? Needle down, sword piercing. Needle up, blood ceasing. Needle down, sword pricking. Needle up, bleeding stops.

I look down at my hoop. The needle rests. I see the results. Crimson threads stacked, line upon line… Purpose is revealed.

Each crushing blow of sword stitching me back together. The hemorrhage of discouragement quenched. The oozing fear dried up.

 “God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down or relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm, I will not fear or dread or be terrified” (Heb. 13:5-6).

“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome” (Jer. 29:11).

Stitches stacked up, line upon line, making me whole. Beauty created.