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Listen while you read: "Father Lead Me Day By Day"1 (Lyrics) |
Ephesians 4:13 – This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. (NLT)
I can see them now — all daintily lined up on stools. But that was only the beginning.
In a time that many don't remember — although it wasn't too many years ago — most women's work was at home, not in the workforce. They cooked, cleaned, raised kids, and made clothes by hand and with sewing machines. Amazon didn't exist to fulfill their every desire, nor did they do all their clothes shopping at a nearby retail store or mall. But they did shop for one thing.
Many retail stores had a section where bolts of cloth lounged about. A counter hosted several stools with a large catalog at each stool. A woman would sit on the stool and thumb through the catalog until she found the piece of clothing she wanted to make for herself or a family member. Once discovered, she noted the pattern number associated with the garment.
Then came the next step. Near the counter, large racks or filing cabinets sat. Patterns were alphabetized or chronologically numbered. The pattern told how much cloth was needed to make the garment.
Next, the mom would select what colour and type of material she wanted, take the bolt of cloth to a counter where a customer rep worked, and have her measure out and cut the amount of material needed to make the item.
But the housewife and mom still hadn't finished her task. Now, she had to take the cloth home, lay it on the kitchen table or some other large area, place the pattern on top, and cut out the cloth as the pattern showed.
The most arduous task followed — sewing the garment by hand or with a sewing machine, which not all households could afford. The garment also had to be sized correctly. Needless to say, no one took their clothing for granted. They appreciated all the time invested in the making process. It didn't happen overnight or in a couple of days.
Although the above scenario doesn't often happen anymore, whoever makes clothing — even if it's a machine — must still follow a pattern. So must we, if we expect to grow spiritually as God expects. The age-old pattern hasn't changed. Study the Bible regularly, using a translation we can understand and enjoy. Spend time daily praying, giving our requests to God, and listening for His guidance. Hang around with other believers who will encourage and model spiritual maturity for us.
God's pattern for spiritual growth hasn't changed — and never will. Life gets busy, and priorities can easily get jumbled, so let us each follow the correct pattern to enjoy the best life.
Prayer: Father, help us to follow the correct pattern for spiritual growth. Amen.
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Monday, March 24, 2025 – In the Middle East — We recently received a message telling us that one of our dear local friends has passed away. This was so hard, as we are on home assignment which makes it even harder. Please pray with us that the Lord will comfort his family and children and that Christ's name will be glorified. Help them to stay strong in their faith in the face of opposition..
friend: "Update March 21, 2025; Please continue to pray for Hilde who has had dizziness for many months..." 
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Thanks Martin, blessings to you and your family.
Thank you for writing this devotional.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. To God be the glory! Blessings.
I’d forgotten sitting on the stools looking through the pattern books!
Good comparison. Thank you.
Good morning, Martin,
Wow do I remember those kind of days….but I am so very thankful that God is my guide and the Holy Spirit to help me follow the pattern of Christ.
God bless.
Life was simple and hard. My own 40 year + old kids had a taste going up.
Nevertheless, they cannot imagine bathing in the same water as the other siblings. We had no indoor pumping growing up in the 1950’s.
Blessings.
So true. I was 6 when I made my first dress on my aunt’s sewing machine, a treadle. Also, houses didn’t have closets. You had your Sunday outfit and your everyday work clothes, hanging on a hook behind the door. It boggles my mind how things have gotten so out of hand! And yes, living the Christian life: Bible by lamp every evening.
Good morning, Martin,
I enjoyed your picture of the people lined up on stools checking for the right pattern. It is a good memory for me because first my mom made my clothes and then I did. I loved how you tied it into the pattern for the growth of our faith. Definitely a good analogy because they both take thought and dedication. Blessings.
You are the ultimate storyteller focused on lessons for living a Christian lifestyle. The memory of seeing my mother at her sewing machine which was located in front of a bedroom window to allow for maximum sunlight was easily brought to mind.
The world has progressed in so many ways since the end of WWII and yet in many ways, not at all.
It is important, no it is critical, that we share Christ’s message of LOVE globally. That we are all children of the same Father . (Malachi 2:10a)
Blessings to you and yours from a Canadian brother.
Greetings Martin and many thanks for your devotional today. Reading it took me back to my childhood days when I would watch my Mom sitting at the treadle sewing machine sewing a variety of clothing items. Before sewing, she would have the material all laid out on the table and place the paper patterns on it and cut out the pieces. You have written a great analogy by comparing the method of following a sewing pattern and following the pattern God lays out for our spiritual growth. It is very important for us to adhere to His pattern laid out for us in our daily lives and be ever thankful for His loving care. Blessings for another of your very special writings.
Well, Martin, not only was your point well taken in today’s devotional, but the memories it evoked were many. My mother was a superb seamstress…the patterns she chose were VOGUE. I, her daughter, sewed some for our children but not as cleverly as my Mom.
Our daughter had a friend, a boy. He came to me and told me that his girlfriend’s Mom was out of town and would I make her a dress for a dance? I said I would. When the Mom came back into town, (I knew her but not well), she was mortified. In my thoughtlessness, it never occurred to me to consider the Mom’s feelings. I did assure her that I was pleased to make the dress. Eventually, we could laugh about the situation.
That memory is obviously still with me. Some things are not forgotten. AND, your devotional brought it all back to me.
I like your analogy.
Since I used to enjoy making clothes for myself and others I’m already thinking of how I can use it and expand on it for one of the Long Term Care Homes I visit and bring a worship service to each month, remembering that everyone will have a slightly different pattern based on their needs and abilities.
Thanks, Martin. This brought back some forgotten memories!