A PATCHWORK MONDAY

 

Monday, January 9, 2023

 

A PATCHWORK MONDAY

 

1 Thess 5:16-22

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

 

          Patchwork originated from early settlers travelling to America from Britain and the Netherlands. They carried household fabric as part of their luggage. Over the years clothes and other household linen began to wear out and the settlers wanted to keep some reminders of their homeland.

 

          Patchwork quilts are very popular and can be quite elaborate and expensive, but it is the home made simple ones that tell stories. Look there! Isn’t that a piece of dad’s old shirt? And there, isn’t that cut from mom’s favorite skirt? These bring back memories.

 

          Paul was wrapping up his first letter to the Thessalonians and these short sentences all bring to mind a larger piece of fabric. Rejoice evermore surely had a larger story to tell even as it stands alone. Pray without ceasing invites us to remember those times when praying was distracted and difficult. Quench not the Spirit bids us to recall those times we slipped and fell. Abstain from all appearance of evil warns us that there are some things and some people we should avoid.

Dear Lord, help me today to give thanks – in every thing. AMEN