Parent and Child

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 68^th birthday on March 30. 1991.