These few words neatly printed on a small tag attached to several paper cutouts in the shape of a dress. They were neatly tied together with a light blue ribbon. My wife Joyce found it as she rearranged some pots in a drawer.
Obviously, they were hand-made, and very well done. She thought it must have been assembled by one of the ladies in a ladies’ clubs she had attended.
As she examined it, she realized it carried an amazing amount of positive instruction on each small page. Each small “pattern” carries a message along with an object to help better illustrate that page’s insightful message.
The pages were all in the shape of a dress. If one were to make a dress for example, a pattern would be required. I distinctly remember my Mom making different items of clothing and she always had a pattern spread out on the table. Mom was an excellent seamstress, but she still needed and used a pattern.
The small tag says that these are “Patterns For Life!” Joyce wondered if the fact there are seven patterns indicated they were to serve as a daily devotional. If so, one could hardly do better. It occurred to me that each small page or pattern could also serve as a sermon.
The first one, the cover page, was a small piece of cloth that might have been used in the making of a dress.
Let me take you through them.
The Cover: The small tag with the words, “Patterns For Life.”
Pattern 1: MEASURE UP TO YOUR CALLING
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind. Be not ashamed of the testimony of the Lord…”
2Timothy 1.7, 8a
To illustrate the message, included on the page is a small segment of a measuring tape.
Pattern 2: KNOW WHEN TO BUTTON YOUR LIP
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”
Proverbs 10.19
To illustrate, the page includes a small button.
Pattern 3: LET YOUR TESTIMONY BE TRIMMING TO YOUR LIFE
Brethren, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have born witness of your love…
3John 1. 5-6a
The illustration is a small piece of cloth trimming. We all know the purpose of trimming is to enhance the beauty of the item to which it is attached.
Pattern 4: PUT SOME SNAP IN YOUR LIFE
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 2.16
The illustration is a small snap as might be on a cuff or collar.
Pattern 5: LET YOUR MESSAGE BE FELT
I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, we testify to what we have seen, but still your people do not accept our testimony.
John 3.11
The illustration is a small piece of felt cloth.
Pattern 6: THREAD YOUR LIFE WITH DEPENDABILITY
Give and it will be given to you, good measure pressed down shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6.38
The illustration is a small piece of thread.
Page 7: GUARD AGAINST THE SHARP POINTS OF DISCOURAGEMENT
Do not fret because of evil doers or be envious of those who do wrong…Trust in the Lord and do good…Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart
The illustration is a pin.
Psalms 37 1, 3a, 4
Have a great and inspirational day!