First Things
This 1943 photo from the Library of Congress brings back sweet memories. I never saw my mother sit on the floor to cut out a garment, but I saw her cut them out hundreds of times on her kitchen table for her customers, herself, and me. When I was a teenager, I sewed many of my own clothes. I continued to sew for myself and our children when they were at home, too.
I found the caption of this photo fascinating.
I recently went through my closet and made a pile of clothes that needed alterations. I took them to my sewing room. Most continue to hang there, waiting for me to sit down at my sewing machine. It didn’t take me long to realize how unimportant those clothes are these days. I continue to try each day to look nice for Ray, but I don’t need much variety right now.
When Mary was aggravated that her sister Mary wasn’t helping her with her to-do list,
. . . the Lord answered and said to her,
“Martha, Martha,
you are worried and
bothered about so many things;
but only one thing is necessary,
for Mary has chosen the good part,
which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
In a time when we could easily worry about stuff, it is good to remember what will never be taken away from us.
That reminds us of what Jesus said is most important.
You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the great and foremost commandment.
The second is like it,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:36-39
That is why we pray right now. That is why we trust God. That is why we practice social distancing — because we love our neighbors as ourselves and our Father who made them.
And that is what we teach our children every day — crisis or no crisis.
Now may the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you will abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13