When You're Hanging on by a Thread

When I saw this picture, it resonated straight away for situations that we get ourselves into and then we are in dire need to have Jesus walk by so we can crawl out and push past the crowds saying, ‘I need to touch the hem of his garment, out of the way’!

WOW! Been there done that and I know others who are feeling this too….

I came across the following story by an Emma Parker (see picture attached) and as I too love to get crafty, I was rather taken with her process and felt a kind of affinity with it.

‘I … enjoy how fragments of word and script can be seen in the ‘Memory Threads;’ these remind me of the fragments of memories that get lost.  I believe our memories are what make us…’ – Emma Parker

I do believe that the idea of ‘Memory Threads’ is a concept that suggests things that get started and then abruptly finish – hence the idea of a hanging thread.  But if there are many threads then there is the idea of a ‘tapestry’ of sorts that is showing a work in progress and the encouragement for us not to drop the ball in any season but jump back up and start another thread.

Over my life I have started many threads and there have been times where that thread was abruptly stopped and out of my control.  Again, there were others that were neatly laid down, knotted off and another thread started a little further down the road. Read more of my story in either of my two publications - https://www.kimcreations.com.au/publications

I am currently in a season where many of those around me, friends and family are struggling with the care and health of elderly relatives and also supporting them as they experience their loved ones passing away.  It is certainly a difficult season for anybody, but I believe it’s the memories of them that we are still able to hang onto.

Girlfriends mum passed away in January 2025

2 x friends’ mothers having major surgery April 2025

1 friends mother passed away April 2025

(as I’m typing) 1 friends mother passed away today 4 May 2025

I will have the honour and privilege of flying across the nation this week to visit with extended family and friends to celebrate an elderly aunt turning 90 this year.  When putting together a gift for her, my sisters and I were rummaging through many photos of us growing up and spending quality time with our aunt and cousins.  It brought back great times together that have surfaced a lot of emotions as well. 

Knowing that many of the memories hold loved ones that are no longer with us hurts, but also memories of times gone by that makes us take stock of where we are currently too!

(top photo – Aunt turning 90, my Mum in the middle (now deceased) & their younger sister (now deceased)

(bottom photo – Myself on left, my older sister in middle & my younger sister to right – taken Dec 2024)

One item my sisters and I put together for our aunt was a framed poster saying ’90 things we love about you’ – putting together those 90 memories was not only a discovery of great experiences but also how much love was produced with those memories.

Because of this push down memory lane, I have decided to start writing my three grandkids letters each time they come for a sleep over and write about something that I can share with them about my growing up for them to hold onto.  There have definitely been more things that I am able to write out and share with my granddaughter than my grandsons but because of that I think I will have to engage my hubby to participate in this exercise as well 😊

Memories are an important part of our lives and those ‘Threads’ are special for many reasons but when it comes to us feeling like our situation is hanging by a thread… Jesus asks us to…

‘remember the deeds of the Lord’ – Ps 77:11-14 ESV

‘remember me…’ – Luke 22:19 ESV

And

‘the memory of the righteous is a blessing…’ – Prov 10:7 ESV

God has only good set before us…

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope – Jeremiah 29:11 TLB

Like the woman who reached out to touch the hem of Jesus garment and was instantly healed, I know He will meet us too where we are at our most vulnerable as well.

I pray today that you will push through your hard circumstance and hold onto the thread that says he has good for you, to give you a future and a hope in Jesus’ name.

Amen