Five new tubes of quality Egyptian cotton thread. They look perfect! And one very old boat shuttle (possibly from the 1800’s). Quite worn and used, it has noticeable flaws and imperfections. This shuttle is very simple, but it fits perfectly in my hands, and easily glides across the warp, carrying weft thread across. The shuttle’s worth is measured by what it becomes in my hands as a weaver.
If I am noticed by people, that makes me important, right? And if I’m never noticed — what then? Does that mean I am less important? I hope we can base our personal value on something besides popularity and opinions; if not, we’re left trying to prove our worth.
It is marvelous that there is a grand weaver who knows us personally. The one who stretched out the skies like a piece of cloth and sprinkled it with stars as if they were glass beads, knows each of us by name. He knows all the flaws, yet he delights to pick up that worn, imperfect shuttle and use it to create something spectacular. My worth is defined in his hands.
May you hear your name pleasantly spoken.
Imperfect, but happy,
Karen
Karen, love this! Your last two paragraphs and especially “My worth is defined in his hands” are such important truths to base our lives on!!! It brings a couple of great verses to mind: Isaiah 49:16a (NLT) See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands and Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus… It’s great to read your blog!
Bev, thanks for taking time to leave a comment! I just had a funny thought – our names being carried in God’s palms – Maybe that means all our contact info is in His smartphone he carries in his hand, so he can reach us day or night. Haha, jk, …as if God needs a smartphone! 🙂
A great reminder that I don’t have to do, just be….and the grand weaver can make something beautiful out of my many imperfections….just as the shuttle doesn’t have to work on its own, just be used in the hand of the weaver to create something of beauty.
Exactly!
My favorite part of this post: “The shuttle’s worth is measured by what it becomes in my hands as a weaver.”
And still, we possess books never read, chairs no one sits in, blankets never slept under, materials never used, we even have food not eaten before it is spoiled…
Can we possibly serve our purpose when we surround ourselves with more “shuttles” than we will ever be able to handle?
It is wonderful that you found this beautiful old shuttle so that it too can continue serving its purpose by the help of your loving hands.
And, I do love your sense of humor! 🙂
Ah, another reminder about reducing excess in my life, so that I’m left with only what is meaningful and purposeful.
i love to think of the previous weavers who used this shuttle, and especially the person who made it. It is hand carved, and the inside cavity is rather rough. Steve noticed that it was not a particularly nice piece of wood to begin with — there’s a knot in the wood right on top. But the craftsmanship of the outer shape is exquisite. I like it that an ordinary piece of wood was lovingly made into a useful tool that would last for several generations.