I am grateful for the book “Soulprint” by Mark Batterson and the introduction to “The Tapestry Poem” poem by Corrie Ten Boom. He shares that the messy underside of our personal tapestry is our Identity, and the beautiful upperside is our Destiny. If I put myself on the loom, God will weave a masterpiece!
The Tapestry Poem
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
Corrie ten Boom
Weaving the Fabric of Life
Life is often compared to a tapestry, a weaving together of experiences, emotions, relationships, and dreams. The poem Weave captures this metaphor beautifully, urging us to think of our lives as intricate patterns, carefully created with intention and love. Every thread we place—whether a moment of joy, a hardship overcome, or a connection with another person—forms part of the greater whole that is our life story.
The act of weaving involves patience, dedication, and attention to detail, just as living with purpose requires careful consideration of the choices we make and the people we surround ourselves with. When we think of life in this way, we are reminded that even the seemingly small threads—kind words, daily acts of kindness, moments of gratitude—contribute to the beauty and strength of the tapestry we are creating.
Weave also speaks to the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all things. Just as threads in a fabric rely on one another for strength, so too do we rely on our relationships, our communities, and our sense of purpose to support and uplift us. No thread exists in isolation, and neither do we.
Gratitude is a powerful tool in this weaving process. When we are grateful for each thread—whether bright or dark, smooth or rough—we begin to see the larger pattern emerging. We can appreciate the lessons learned in difficult times and savor the beauty of the joyful moments. In this way, gratitude helps us craft a life that is both resilient and meaningful.
The message of Weave reminds us that while we may not control every thread in our lives, we do have the power to weave with intention, choosing love, patience, and purpose as our guiding forces. Every day is another opportunity to add a new thread to the pattern, making our lives richer, fuller, and more connected.