Life can be compared to a patchwork quilt or to the rag mats that were made by our grandmothers if we are Gen Xers who hail from Barbados. It was only when they were finished that the beauty of those quilts or rag mats became evident. In reminiscing about the rag mats, the myriad coloured pieces from the scraps of cloth can be likened to lived experiences as they blended together to create a kaleidoscope of rich colours that brightened the matriarch’s bedroom where her washstand with its porcelain jug and bowl stood. For each little chip of cloth had its own story and value and added to the beauty of the finished product. Yes! How very much like our lived experiences those little bits of cloth are!

We go through a series of triumphs and trials, happy moments and sad ones that shape who we are and build our character over time. If we keep holding on to the Jesus’s hand throughout the journey, when we look back we can see how our lives were enriched by the overall process as He remained by our side through everything that happened to us. Each victory, each bit of winnowing and sifting was necessary to create character in us and ultimately allow God’s will to be done. Even if we do not start out walking with God, but find Him along the way, He uses every experience- good and bad- for His ultimate glory. Truly He is our Vindicator, our Best Friend and the Master Craftsman of our lives.

Invitation: Will you ask Christ into your heart today for the remainder of your journey here on earth?