My paternal Grandmother, Marie, was the strongest woman ever lived (in my eyes of course!). She taught me how to drive, how to cook pancakes, how to work for everything you need. She survived breast cancer, buried her young husband, and was left to raise four hellish boys. She worked herself to the bone. She was a nurse’s aid, cared for the elderly, and picked tobacco until the Lord took her at the ripe age of 82. Every Saturday, we would spend countless hours playing cards (War, Rummy, & Black Jack) and wrapping it up with an episode of Hee-Haw. Ah, how I miss those days! The one thing I regret is that I did not spend enough time with her when she was quilting. Man, she could turn eye sore fabrics into a beautiful masterpiece all with her own hands. In her will, she left me two of the quilts (one is on my bed as we speak) and all the scraps. To this day, the scraps remain, and no quilt has been produced.

As the days go on and my writing increases, I cannot help but worry if my writing will run dry. Just when I think I have produced my best piece yet and there is no more, the Lord speaks and brings something new to the table. For instance, the Lord spoke today and said that my life is the making of one great patchwork quilt. Let me see if I can explain this. I have spent endless hours and tears praying for one particular man. I am now seeing the fruits of my labor, however someone else is reaping the benefits. I’m not going to lie, it flat out hurts! God spoke and said it is ok to hurt, but it’s a sacrifice I must make to bless the life of another. This is one of the patches on my quilt. The tears and determination of prayer are the stitches, the intricate details of the quilt. Through every experience, every heartbreak, and loss, another patch is being laid. Pretty soon, my masterpiece will be revealed before my very own eyes.

Matthew 6:1-4 (The Message) in a nutshell says, “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” I know I must quietly go on making my quilt. In due time, my Father will reveal it to its entirety and His glory will be revealed!

Love in Christ,
Nichole