Coat of Many Colors

Today while on holidays I have finally dug into the depth of my bedroom closet to clean out and re-organize. Wow did I collect a lot of stuff; however I found some treasures in there too. Below is something I wrote in May 2002 and still holds very true today.

I think some of you may have heard the song 'Coat of many Colors' that Dolly Parton sang many years ago. I was thinking of this song a couple of weeks ago and realized that I too have a coat of many colors. You see every piece of colored fabric that is in my coat is a piece of my life. Some pieces are bright and cheery and represent good things in my journey called life. And other pieces are dark and dreadful looking; tattered and torn. Those pieces are when life was rougher. But there is one thing that holds all these pieces together ~ God's grace. The thread that puts shape to my coat of many colors is God's grace.

There have been many times when God had tears in his eyes and a broken heart as he sewed another piece into my coat of times when I chose to walk away from God and do my own thing. Yet ever so carefully he sewed another piece, calling my name as he wove the thread of grace into my coat. And there were of course days his smile filled all of heaven when I walked according to his will and plans for me. I communed with him because I loved him and waited in his presence. Those are the colorful pieces he sewed that day.

In my journey I have learned that I can wear this coat without shame. Others may look at it and say it's ugly, tattered and torn. That I should be ashamed to wear such a garment. But I know in my heart that for every piece of fabric in my coat, God has placed it there. Everything in my life has gone through God's filter.

As for my coat; I don't know if I only have one sleeve or if there is two or even if the body has started to take shape. But I know that God will continue to add pieces of fabric woven by his grace to my coat.

I want to encourage you that if you have a coat like mine that is tattered and torn; wear it proudly but not boastfully. Know that God has a time and place for everything, even when we think we know what is best.

So today when I step out into my day I will be wearing my coat of many colors; will you?