Diary Entry: 1990 Monday , December 31
"Last day of the year. I wrote" Parent and Child". We went to Nobel Roman's for pizza. I prayed a lot today for mercy and help for me and family."
Parent and Child
My
child and I set out one day to embroider. Said, one, “Not I, oh the
way looks to hard for me.” “Oh, not so,” said I, “you must
take one stitch at a time and look at the instructions and in no time
you will be finished.” But, she consented not to do it.
My
son and I than began our work. Secretly, I did think that this was
too hard for him and that it would take much time. But, my son was
eager, so we began.
At
first, it went slowly and I stopped much to show him the way. But, he
soon caught on quite fast and stopped only to look at the
instructions and than went on.
As
we gazed at the front side, it began to take shape, details and
color. Said one, as she saw the wrong side, “I do believe you have
made many mistakes.” Said I, “Oh, you have seen the wrong side,
only now look at the right side and you shall see.”
So,
I began to tell them of a story I had heard once of a lad who was
playing by his mother’s feet. She was embroidering on a large piece
of cloth, and as he looked up, he said, “Oh! Mother, I cannot tell
what you are making for it looks quite jumbled up from here.” And
she said, “Dear son, from where I sit, it looks quite nice and all
in order”. Then she said, “Always remember my son that God in
heaven looks down and can see the whole picture, quite done and all
in order. We an only see a little bit at a time and sometimes jumbled
at that.” So, the son said, “I will remember, Mother.”
Now,
it was time to put in the last stitch and it would be complete. I was
proud that it was finished, yet a little sad for I had made some
mistakes which could not be corrected. For you see, some stitches are
made that cannot be taken back and done over again.
As
I looked at my son’s work(for he had finished a long time before
me), I noticed a difference, even so it was the same design.
For,
it was much larger, even bolder, more flair and less tension as mine.
Then,
I began to think of this as a parent and child.
How
similar we are yet so different.
How
children hurry, run and go at a fast pace while a parent had learned
to slow down and be patient.
How
a child tries to follow his parent’s footsteps and instructions but
the outcome may be far different.
Then,
I thought of my Heavenly Father and I, as His child.
Each
stitch, is each day that finally will picture my life.
I
must look at His instructions or the planned design will not be.
I
must learn to be patient and wait on Him to untangle the threads of
my life.
I
must remember He sees the finished product while I only see a little
at a time.
I
must follow His footsteps and than, finally my life will be a picture
of Him.
As
I kissed my son good night, I was glad that we had done this together
– for I had learned many things and I hoped he had also.
12/31/1990
NOTE:
My
son, Rickie (who was 10 at the time) and I actually did embroidered
two exact designs. I wrote this story after we finished it. I gave
the embroidery and this story, “Parent and Child”, to my mother
for her 68th birthday on March 30. 1991.
