Journey of my Singer

My Singer sewing machine was last year's birthday gift from my wonderful husband to me:) I take it with me from Plano, Texas to Cairo, Egypt as my carry-on luggage. 
In Cairo, Singer and I have a love-hate relationship as I attempt to learn how to sew.  I break all the needles except for one, but I successfully accomplish three sewing projects!

The revolution happened and Singer is left behind with all of our other belongings.  I shed a tear over Singer.  Let me explain: I wanted to practice sewing so I could join Jordan's family on their quilting retreats. So, yes I cry over a $100 piece of plastic and metal.

Then, Jordan goes back to Cairo with his dad and brother to our Villa, untouched and just as we left it.  Singer goes in a box and onto a truck that survives it's way through Cairo traffic, up to Alexandria, on a ship over the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, to Miami, and then on a plane to Chicago to sit in a house of a friend of ours. 

Jordan flies up to Chicago this week and picks up the very box that Singer is in.  Singer is loaded on to a plane to Detroit as Jordan gets on to a plane to Atlanta.  Yes, Singer is on the wrong plane.  Singer finally makes it to Florida (again) and is brought to us by the airport people and placed on our porch in the middle of the night.  I discover it the next morning:) 

I open up the box and pull out Singer, place it on the kitchen table and marvel at the thought of a night of sewing.  I run errands all day, cook dinner, feed the baby, watch a movie with Jordan, put the baby to sleep, sit down at the table to spend time where I left off with Singer and realize that every piece of metal on that machine is snapped, twisted, torn, broken and dangling. Yup, that chunk of plastic that traveled more than most humans, that was cried over, that was lost and returned, that was a gift from my wonderful husband is broken. 

I need a reminder of the gospel every day.  I have started over many times, given up possessions many times, and realized each time the beauty and freedom of His saving grace. The Lord has seen us twisted, bent, broken and yet he still uses us and refines us as servants to bring glory to his kingdom.  He cherishes our journeys, cries over our separation, eagerly awaits our return, picks us up and places us high, only for us to be humbled in His perfect presence.  His gift to us cannot break, be lost, or damaged. What good news to those who know Jesus!