Sewing buttons

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Thursday morning, while beginning my quiet time with the Lord, I asked Him how He would have us pray.  I was expecting a friend in for coffee later who feels led to pray for our small town community.  As I grew still I saw just a brief snip of a vision:

There were loose buttons scattered on streets and sidewalks and a hand stitching buttons to a garment of rough, coarse material.  The buttons were different colours, shapes and sizes, yet one after another was sewn to the same cloth.

I didn't think it meant much, but as I picked up my pen and journal, this is what the Lord shared:

And do you see yourself finding the buttons, stopping to pick them up?  Or do you notice them and merely kick them out of your way?

I believe you will gather, little one.  You will gather those lost ones, hold them safely in your hand or a pocket, and bring them to Me - the Master Mender.  My hand will heal and place them in the spot already designed and waiting.  They will know they are home.

It is indeed a wedding garment I Am creating.

"But..." I sense you question "what of the dark, rough fabric?  Surely no wedding gown was made of such."

I Am not finished, child.  All the buttons have not been gathered.

You will see.  You will see.  When the last thread is placed through the last button, in My perfect time, what you see as ugly and coarse shall be transformed into a thing of glory - to clothe a bride fit for a king.

And with what gentle patience does your King await His bride.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Revelation 19:7 NIV

Living in love

To celebrate our anniversary as man and wife, I share words I wrote eleven years ago:

Wedding Day Thoughts

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him"

1 John 4:16

Today is the day I shall be joined in marriage with the partner God has chosen for me. He is all around me and all around Rick and all around all who choose to love Him.

Rick & I are but living works of God. He has watched us from the beginning. Learning to walk, learning to fall, learning to stand and try again. He let us choose so many partners, all of them wrong, but each with lessons to teach us.

He has, in the way only He can, led us here to the moment when we will stand side by side and become one, joined each to each and both to Him. What a waterfall of blessings! What an awesome God we serve!

Father God, as I take this new step, let me always recall who composed this symphony. Let me always thank You. Let me always praise You. All glory to You, all glory to Jesus, all glory to the Holy Spirit that fills, and fills and fills me today.

Wedding thoughts

Before I turned on the television this morning to see what was happening with the wedding of Prince William and Kate, I spent time seeking the heart of my Lord.  This is what He shared:

Yes, this is a day when a woman becomes a princess and I thank you, little one, for stopping to recall the moment you became Mine.

You chose the highest King and bow before no other.

This woman had months to prepare - party plans, hairstyles and the dress - all must be perfect for the bride.

I have given My bride years.  Year after year after year and I Am waiting still for she is not yet ready.  Her garments are soiled.  She bickers with others in the wedding party.  She wants to write the guest list instead of relinquishing it into My hands.

How long?  How long must I wait?  I have long been ready...

Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.  Jeremiah 2:32 NIV