Mom, Can You Fix This?

My eye often catches the "patch jobs" done on my clothes these days. My blue green flannels, my old Columbia coat, my navy blue shorts all show signs of a visit by the Mender. The list of items goes on and on and it has for years and years.

I love to wear things until they just can't be worn anymore. One of those reasons is that my mom could keep clothes going forever. If I got a rip in my favorite shirt, no problem. I'd bring it downstairs after I took it off at night and say, "Mom, can you fix this?" And she'd make me laugh with some hilarious scenario of what she could do to fix it. Sometimes, she'd look at it from every angle, furrow her brow, then quickly change her countenance, lift both hands and say, "Sure I can!"

This joyful pattern went on through my elementary years, jr. and sr. high, college, 20s, 30's, and 40s. I'd bring bags of clothes home and Mom would bring bags of clothes back full of sewing magic performed.

Mom died last January 25, 2008. We've been unfolding what that would mean for our family for more than 12 months now. For me, one of the things it has meant, is that I can no longer say, "Mom can you fix this?" So, my pile of "things to fix" is not getting smaller.

But, the Lord has something new for me. He desires that I live in reality, His Reality.

So, I got out a thread and needle this week and the vertical rip in the left leg of my favorite jeans just got got my first attempt at my version of a mend. That's what's going on in my soul as well. I think I'm starting to move out of being "stuck". I look at some of clothes that are waiting on my version of an "on deck" circle and have whispered, "Mom, can you fix this?" And then I smile, because that was sure fun to do for about 40 years.

But God's doing something new now. It's not the same, but it can still be good. With His help, His presence, His body, and His hope, I'll thread needles, remember some more of the extended family with some Valentines, and try to remember the underdogs of the world on Valentines Day as my Mom did.

God, do something new in my heart this week and I'd appreciate some help on that new rip, too.

The Glide

It was crunchy snow time out on the cross-country ski trails in Carr Woods this afternoon, a nose-hair freezer it was. God and I love to glide across the countryside together. He helps me process life. It all makes sense out there.

I worship best on skis.