Knitted Together
Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Dinah Dutta, chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor®
I have several friends who like to knit. They create beautiful things through knitting.
The churches I serve as a pastor make quilts that we send to Lutheran World Federation. They are distributed all over the world.
Quilting requires choosing a fabric, cutting, piecing it together, and finally stitching and tying the quilt. I always wanted to learn to quilt. I could not find the time to meet groups when they met. Finally, I asked my church members who quilt, if they could give me a quilt to take home so that I can tie it. The quilting group from my church let me do that. I have to make marks on the fabric to tie the knots, slowly, carefully, I tie each knot. I learned patience and perseverance are very important to tying the knots. Well, where am I going with this?
As I continue to struggle to understand the situation we are facing in the country, we call America the Beautiful, the image of a quilt or a knitted, crocheted product comes to my mind and reminds me that we are created by God beautifully and wonderfully, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well (Psalm 139:14).
As I write this note we have a difficult issue in front of us to process. Many young adults ask me to explain what is right, and what is wrong. I tell them I do not know what is right or wrong. I ask God to help me understand. Most importantly, as a Christian believer and an ordained pastor my understanding of Christianity and the faith I accepted through the baptism of water and the Holy Spirit is not about right or wrong. It is about following Jesus’ words, love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12: 31), do unto others what you want them to do (Matthew 7:12). Therefore, knitted together in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), wrapped by His unconditional love, and forgiveness, we continue to knit together, make a new quilt, cutting, shaping, and tying ourselves and our communities in spite of all the confusion and chaos around us.
Dear ones, “Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring. The same loving God Who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.” --Francis de Sales.
May the peace of the Lord be with you!
