By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Some time ago I looked at a semi-finished piece of embroidery. Although I am no sewing expert, I could immediately see the detail of the work. No stitch was out of place and I immediately knew that hours of work have gone into this piece of art. I turned the piece of embroidery around and suddenly it was almost as if I was looking at the exact opposite. On the reverse side, it seemed like chaos. There were loose threads and I could not see any picture.

The same is true for our lives. At times we experience situations in which it feels as if things are out of place. A loved one dies. We are diagnosed with a disease. An engagement is broken off. We are retrenched at work. Our offer on a dream house falls through. Or we experience a miscarriage after years of waiting to fall pregnant. In moments like these it sometimes feels like loose threads hanging and it is making no sense at all.

In 1 Corinthians 13:12 we read: "Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely."

Although we do not always understand why things happen in our lives, we know that I AM knows our future. In Jeremiah 1:5 God reminds the prophet Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. . ." Also in 1 John 3:20 we are reminded that nothing is hidden from God: "If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything." He works outside of time and space as we understand it and He sees the future.

I AM always sees the top part of the embroidery while we only see the reverse side. What seems like chaos in our lives today, will only make perfect sense when we stand before His throne one day. All we need to do is to trust Him. The dark threads and deep stitches (dark seasons in our lives) at times might be necessary to finish off the top picture perfectly. Remember, He sees the bigger picture and loves you tremendously. God bless.

Father God, thank you for being in control of my life even if it at times feels as if I have completely lost control. Help me to find my faith and confidence in you. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. amen

• See some interesting photos of front and back side images of embroidery works at: www.benescke.co.za

• ASSIGNMENT: What feels totally out of control in your life? Choose today to give it over into His hands.

• FEEDBACK: Please send your feedback, testimonies of God's goodness or questions on the topic to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Benescke