I realized yesterday (while sitting at my sewing machine patching some jeans) that I really like mending. I like making the mending pile disappear, yes, but more than that, I like fixing things.
When my sister’s favorite pair of jeans gets a tear, when a button pops off my Dad’s shirt, or my brother’s shirt needs tailoring, I love fixing it. Whether it’s just hemming a pair of pants, or completely refashioning a dress, being able to infuse new life and usefulness into something brings me joy.
Jesus does similar things with people. He takes broken people and fixes them. He heals the brokenhearted. (See Psalm 147:3-5, Psalm 34:18) He restores relationships. He tweaks and molds his sons and daughters till they are able to fulfill his purpose for them. (Isaiah 64:8)
It looks a little silly in writing, but being able to put fabric and thread back in order is one way makes me look a little more like Jesus. When I was mending those jeans I really felt like I was feeling God’s satisfaction in the work of restoration after him.
As we live the Christian life, we strive to be more and more like God. Not desiring his position, as a friend said at Bible study, but desiring his character. When people look at us, they should see the Maker. They should see what “Christian” actually means: little Christs. As we grow in Christ we can’t help but look more and more like our Father. Of taking joy in creation and restoration is part of that, then so be it. Mend on!
