The full weight of a Southern summer rested heavily on us, but we still chose to sit outside with our sewing projects.
I think we’re both in denial that it’s coming to a close. It was like a movie scene – two women stitching and gabbing, intermittently wiping our foreheads and making comments about how unbearable the heat was.
“That looks good, Ang,” she said, craning her neck to see my progress.
I flipped it over and pointed at the backside, which was a chaotic blend of knots and uneven stitches.
“Won’t matter,” she said. “No one looks at the back.”
I licked my thread and held the needle farther from my eyes than I used to, squinting and slowly pushing it through.
“Well, it’s a dish towel, so actually everyone will,” I answered. She tipped her head, nodding, acknowledging the difference.
It wasn’t a project that would be backed by a frame to hang high on a wall, nor would it eventually be sewn into something that would hide the ugly mess.
And let me tell you, that changes everything.
Because it looks totally different from that side. It’s the true measure of a seamstress because there’s no faking it. But it’s tempting to dismiss it as unimportant, because really, who will ever know?
Unless, of course, you’re working on a dishtowel, which will be flipped and flopped and wrinkled and held by others.
It’s a simple analogy, but it’s captivated me: am I living a faith that stands up to the test of scrutiny, or have I just tried to make it look beautiful from where they sit?
We’re always in a season of growth as believers (hopefully), and for me, this one has meant realizing that I’ve put myself in a position that invites my brothers and sisters in Christ to turn over the work of my days and measure it for what it really is.
And that’s not just me – it’s not because I’m a writer or because I teach people publicly. It’s because it actually matters that the work of your hands is good and profitable and reflective of the God who put the needle in your fingers and assigned you a role in His kingdom.
So here’s my challenge for you today: live a dishtowel faith.
Keep your nose in the Word and your efforts concentrated on making this life count for eternity. There are too many people who are quick to see their lives and their work as decorative; as something to look at and even appreciate, but not to leave the frame.
But that isn’t what I desire, and it isn’t my prayer. What good is faith if it doesn’t have purpose? And anything with purpose is also bound to have knots and mistakes.
It’s okay.
I looked at that little project differently from that moment, and I assure you I will continue to do so when it hangs beside the sink in my kitchen. I won’t cringe when a guest reaches for it, and I won’t make excuses because I’m embarrassed.
I will let it be exactly what it is; my tangible offering to a watching world.
Come into my home, into my life with the living Christ.
He’ll do the washing, and that’s the important part.
The best thing I can do – the most beautiful – is simply to hand people my messy towels and theology and pray they bless them in a way that makes them believe it’s real to me.
What are you stitching with your days? With your thoughts? With your hands? Is it true and holy? Is it a reflection of your faith and not just your good intentions?
Does it do what it is intended to do? Because the world has enough framed faith; what it needs is more of the useful, weathered, and tumbled-in-the dryer kind that reaches them, touches them, and leaves them changed for the better.
We only get one shot at this, friends.
Summer will come and go before you know it, and this weight – this momentary weight – it will be gone. Work until you’re weary, soaking up the sound of the rustling leaves before they fall.
It will come more quickly than we realize, I assure you.
So in the meantime, for His sake and His alone, let’s make it our finest offering.
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This week if you buy a copy of Lysa Terkerust’s The Best Yes, she’s giving every dime that would normally come to her as an author to a wonderful organization called 99 Balloons. You can learn more about the campaign here, or head to DaySpring to purchase your book now {psst…buy two or more copies and use code BLOOMBOOK at checkout for FREE shipping!}.
Leave a Comment
Sarah S says
“What good is faith if it doesn’t have purpose? And anything with purpose is also bound to have knots and mistakes.” ~ thanks for sharing this Angie.
An everyday dishtowel faith that is made up of my hopes, and proof of what I do not see (See Hebrews 11:1) is exactly what it means to me when I wait on the Lord, be still and know, He has a plan for my life in the midst of infertility.
Jesus takes all our rags and turns them into robes of white. When our everyday faith is imperfect he clothes us in righteousness.
Blessings, thanks for sharing your summer day.
Gloria McKeever says
I love the analogy of the dishtowel. So simple yet so true, just like Jesus. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Angie,
I love your analogy and I think we all have been guilty at one point or another of having a “look pretty in a frame”” kind of faith. For me, sometimes my hesitancy in putting a purpose to my faith is my insecurity in myself. Call it the “Moses or the Jonah syndrome”, but I’m the first to question God, “Who me?” Recently, though, He’s called me to something much bigger than myself and I could use prayers for all the knots and mistakes I’m going to make on the back of the dish towel. Thankfully my God can use me just as I am…and great things can be done in HIS power. I so needed this post this morning…thank you!
Blessings,
Bev
Stephanie Petrak says
So good. As a perfectionist, I’m growing weary of making my faith appear picture perfect in that frame. Every single person knows life is messy, so why use all this energy to cover it up? Instead, we can use our messiness to walk with others through this life.
Janet says
Thank you Jesus for giving Angie great cooking words on a Saturday morning already baking in the August heat !
“We’re always in a season of growth as believers (hopefully), and for me, this one has meant realizing that I’ve put myself in a position that invites my brothers and sisters in Christ to turn over the work of my days and measure it for what it really is.”
Measure me and my work, Jesus. Prune (ouch!) where needed. Spectacular blessings await, this I know.
Liz Curtis Higgs says
Beautifully written, Angie. And so wise. I’ve spent most of my life worrying about the front of the dishtowel, hoping no one looks too closely at the stitches, let alone (eek!) examines the back Thanks for giving me added courage to just put it out there and trust God to use it all.
Pam says
“Because the world has enough framed faith”…”we are His workmanship”…not mere pieces of artwork to be hidden away in art galleries (churches) but living, breathing masterpieces.
Rhonda says
Thank you for this ! I love it, it is so true and hits the bullseye.
My husband is a Pastor and I am going to suggest this as a sermon point, as well as share for a women’s meeting.
Blessings!
Marisa Slusarcyk says
Thank you! This is so very true, our faith isn’t some one dimensional splat on a wall it is tangible and should be experienced from every side, we may not be perfect, but HE IS!
Valerie says
“Dishtowel Faith” sound like a good encouragement book! I love when a person can share their heart with words that give us thought pictures we can relate our walk and faith to! Thank you.
heather says
I LOVE THIS…. the world does in fact have enough framed faith…! What it needs more of is hands to the grindstone…dirty faith. In the trenches. Serving not just Praying from afar… Your words and analogies are so inspiring today and I’ll never look at my dish towels the same way again!! They are beautiful- knots and all..! Thanks Angie! Happy Weekend!
Marty says
Oh, Angie. Beautiful and convicting post.
“…it actually matters that the work of your hands is good and profitable and reflective of the God who put the needle in your fingers and assigned you a role in His kingdom.”
We make the offering…He does the washing. Thank you for this reminder today.
Qhippie4ever says
Loved this post 🙂 Thank you.
Kate Carman says
What a terrific reminder, encouragement, and shot of God’s practical loving for my Saturday. Thank you! This post really represents why I enjoy this online community so much. Thank you for the call to live a life that strives to not have too many knots, and a humility to get help untangling them – from God and our sisters!
Kristen says
Oh how I love this post today! It meshes quite nicely with a sermon I just listened to about “fear of man” stopping us from doing what God has called us to do. I need to be more dishtowel and less worried about what others may think of me and my decisions in following Jesus. It seems to look more and more radical these days and different even from my beautiful church family, whom I love to bits and pieces…. but if God is calling me in a different direction, in a different way, then I must follow the Carpenter with nail-pierced hands and dance with the Holy Spirit, rather than worry about what others are saying. So difficult sometimes! But so worth it! What AM I stitching with my days? What a great question to ponder upon before the Lord…. Blessings.
Birdie Cutair says
I love the analogy of the stitching on the dish towel. I know exactly what you mean, just never thought of it in terms of faith before. Thanks.
Jenny Humphrey says
Hey Ang
Your message is simple and yet powerful. Thankyou. If it’s ok with you I would like to use it as a staff devotional at an A.C.E. school we are staying at in South Africa at the moment. Is that ok? Also with the book offfer….is the free postage if you buy 2 copies only available within the US? If so, please let me know how much it would be to South Africa. Many blessings. Jen
Mandy says
Such a great analogy! As someone who does needlepoint this really hit home!!
Susan says
I really enjoyed this today – good thoughts to ponder. I remember a poem I read years ago about cross-stitch – how God takes our messy side – the threads, the knots and He turns them into something beautiful.
Michelle says
Wow!! Really makes a person think! Thank you!
Beth Williams says
Angie,
what powerful analogy. We need to make our lives an open book for all to see. We need to be vulnerable & show our knots & crappy stitching. I wonder sometimes if I’m doing it right & then God will show me.
My dishtowel faith is laid out there for all to see. I will send cards or E-cards to encourage people during the week. I call friends to check on their family and see how they are doing during their “trials”. In return I can relate my trials to them and ask for prayers. Mostly I just pray hard for my family and friends.
Blessings 🙂
Jeanie Benson says
Thank you for this great analogy. It helps me to reevaluate my dish towel.