It sounds like one of those trick questions a child tosses out from the back seat of the car, just as you’re turning a difficult corner in rush-hour traffic. But this one has a purpose. Being someone who only sews when it’s absolutely necessary, I’ve always had great admiration for people whose handiwork is an art form. Recently an artist friend showed me an exquisite quilt she’d just finished. She made it over many weeks, out of many pieces with different designs, and her skill was recognized with a coveted prize awarded by her peers.
The quilt left a deep impression on me. Each piece of fabric had its own original design, beautiful in its own right. But when the pieces were put together by an artist’s hand, another design appeared that was equally beautiful. What’s more, it didn’t only look good as a piece of art on a bed or on a wall—along with that, it could keep you snug and warm on a cold night!
Then came a sudden thought. This is like church membership. Each member, unique and individual, but together making up a community that can embrace and warm those in need of comfort and healing. Everyone contributing their own prayers, talents, life experience, and vision. This might at first look like a recipe for “many minds”—which wouldn’t result in anything remotely warm and comforting. But there’s no competition among pieces of a quilt. No one piece has to be more colorful than the rest for the whole “pattern” to work.
