Don’t be overtaken by lax adherence

“But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors? “Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’ ””
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬  https://www.bible.com/111/zec.1.6.niv

I learned a valuable lesson on adherence from a quilt block.  I had finished one of my favorite quilt blocks for the block of the month project.  I loved having a deadline. I admit to a bit of pride knowing I'd finished on-time,  To my horror the finished block was the wrong size and would never fit in the finished quilt.  My most dreaded remedy loomed--ripping it apart!  I hate ripping and redoing!

The log cabin quilt block is a historical pattern.  It predates the Civil War era when it became popular.  Perhaps Abraham Lincoln's youthful residence in log cabins inspired its fame.

The assembly begins in the center.  Traditionally, the center square is red to represent the hearth of the home, yellow to represent a welcome light or black to signal the safety of a spot on the  Underground Railroad.  Strips of equal widths but growing lengths are added in a particular order to complete the block.

My downfall is the many quarter inch seams. In the log cabin quilt there are many seams.  If  any seam deviates from this standard the final block will not be able to be joined to the remaining blocks to complete the quilt.

Zechariah reminded the people that lax adherence to God's decrees and commands caused the downfall of their forefathers.  He urged the people to learn from their predecessors.

The verse in Zechariah inspired my sewing day project. I found a pattern for a log cabin quilt block.  Found the box of 2 1/2 inch strips acquired from my quilt buddies-who are much better at adherence than I. I know those strips had been carefully laundered and cut with exactness.

I took care to measure my quarter inch seam guide.

 I took exact care when cutting the individual strips-count twice,cut once.

 Then consulted my pattern twice before sewing each strip.  I only had to rip once!

Fortunately my block finished with an eighth inch overage. (Pretty good for me!)  Abundance is often a good thing.

To fit into God's finished project of my life, I am learning that adherence to even the smallest of decree or command will affect the finished product.   I'm not fond of ripping nor following rules in my life but as my quilt buddy reminds, "It could be the most important thing you do!"

Choose  the center of your life wisely.  The "quilt block of  life" needs God at the center.  Adherence with the addition of each "strip of adherence" will result in a life that fits....

Now I look forward to the mystery project where this quilt block will fit! 

By the way, the second quilt block was constructed much quicker since I'd had a rehearsal!

It’s futility to chase worldly pursuits

“You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.””
‭‭Haggai‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/hag.1.6.niv

Enough procrastinating! I've been wrestling with this scripture for too long! The word enough has consumed my thoughts.

"Enough"  is a command I use often with my attention demanding pup.  When I believe she has received the required amount of petting, I'll say "enough". Usually she lays down and lets me be.

This dog thrives on
petting

Enough is too often a measurement of time, possessions, and self evaluation.  We never seem to have enough time to prepare for a task or spend with each other.  Too often we ignore the inner voice telling we've collected enough of the items of life.  How many times have I felt like I wasn't enough for a task or position?

 Haggai reminds me that worldly desires will never be fulfilling.  That which the world offers will never satisfy. The hole in my being that I try to allow the world to fill will never be filled because there is only One who can fill it.  This void in my heart is only satisfied by God.  God is enough!

A follow up command for my determined pup is "Move On."  When she is barking at that neighbor who walks by the fence every day at the exact same time, I remind her of the routine and tell her to "move on."  I've reminded of the true source that will be enough for me yesterday, today and tomorrow.  I'm ready to move onto Zechariah!