Beauty in Patches (2-5-11)

Sometimes I'm too frugal (I'm often reminded of this by someone I love dearly).  But I'm posting my recent handiwork anyway...for because of this little masterpiece I am reminded that,

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, 

   because the LORD has anointed me 

   to proclaim good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 

   to proclaim freedom for the captives 

   and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a] 

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor 

   and the day of vengeance of our God, 

to comfort all who mourn, 

 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— 

to bestow on them a crown of beauty 

   instead of ashes, 

the oil of joy 

   instead of mourning, 

and a garment of praise 

   instead of a spirit of despair. 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, 

   a planting of the LORD 

   for the display of his splendor.

Somedays it would be easier to despair.  At times, it seems that the one we need to love the most is the one we would much prefer to hate.  It would be easier to throw out an old gardening skirt than to discard the stains and replace them with color.  Yet sometimes, though patches take work, they are truly for the best. Patches with God?  With a friend or loved one?  Some may think you're foolish, but beauty flows from ashes...and sometimes patches.

If you drive by in Summer, you may see me out gardening in what I deem a lovely (& incredibly flouncy) skirt.  Of course, I've been told already, "you'll never catch a man in that!"  But I don't care.  This is a patch-job I plan to thoroughly enjoy.