secure by a thread?

Hanging on by a thread...we've all heard the phrase. Said the phrase. Used the phrase when we are out of things to say and we get frustrated, stressed or disapointed..."I'm hanging on by a thread here!"

So, in researching for a cute photo for my blog, I typed the phrase "hanging on by a thread" today in a search engine and what came up was both interesting and entertaining (and a little bit on the verge of disgusting). Here's just a couple of things that Yahoo defines as "hanging on by a thread" under their images search box - a picture of thread, of course, a photo of what I'd definetly say was a mug shot (a man hanging on by the thread of society maybe?), pic of a man sporting nothing but a kids' flotation device convivently covering his priviate square (still trying to figure out what that has to do with hanging on by a thread), photo of a little kids' tooth that was "hanging on by a thread" in hopes that it would later bring a visit from the tooth fairy, and my personal fave - a photo of some mysterious foot in which the toenail was "hanging on by a thread" - don't worry...I almost threw up a little bit in my mouth too.

So, lots of interpretations of what hanging on by a thread means. But, what it means to me is this: I am completely and totally secure with hanging on by a thread.

Here lately, I'm feeling like the only way I'm making it, the only way I'm surviving through some things I'm going through emotionally, is that I am hanging over a cliff, looking at the pit down below, clinging to a tiny piece of thread between my thumb and index finger, just hoping, praying that I'm hanging on to something that is bigger than myself, something that can hold on, even if the thread breaks.

And I know there is. Even if all I'm holding onto is a ragged piece of thread that connects me to God, I am still holding on. It's enough. Sure, he wants more. But, right now, I just need constant rescuing. Pull me up. Set me on the rock. And He'll use all the threads that I've thrown at Him to make a garment of praise for my heaviness. And what a beautiful garment it will be - because so many times in my life I've held on by a mere thread. He's got a lot of thread to work with.

I have no doubt that a thread is enough for God to rescue me. I'm still attached. And maybe, just maybe, he wants me hanging on by a thread (not always, but for now) to show me that He's gonna be my deliverer. It won't be me. It won't be someone else. The thread is only enough because of Him. Me and God are making history here. We're writing a story of extremes here. A story filled with "are we gonna make it?" moments and glorious "I'm so in love with you!" moments. One things is for sure - it won't be boring. And I'm looking forward to Him gathering all my threads, weaving them together with love, forgiveness, grace and mercy, and a single drop of crimson blood to make the most beautiful garment. And He'll wrap me up, cradle me in His arms and say "Look at all the threads - all the moments you didn't think you would make it, all the moments you wanted to give up and remain hopeless, the times you doubted me and wondered if I really had the best in mind for you. Yes. Yes. I did. I always did. I loved you when you were hanging on by a thread and I loved you when you were standing on the rock, secure and steadfast. I love you, not in spite of your threads, but because of your threads. Because you chose me when it was hard - even when you felt like all you had was a thread. You still hung on."

So...are you hanging on by a thread? Hold fast. Cling to the thread. It's gonna make for a pretty awesome story.