Hallstatt, Austria
“It will be very interesting one day to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry. As long as we live here we see only the reverse side of the weaving, and very often the pattern, with its threads running wildly, doesn’t seem to make sense. Some day, however, we shall understand.
In looking back over the years we can discover how a red thread goes through the pattern of our life: the Will of God.”
Austrian-American singer, Maria von Trapp was born on this day in 1905. (died 1987)
I’ve seen several stage versions, some better than others and, of course, the live television production. We won’t talk about that one.
You know the story. If you don’t you need to get out more.
The theatrical version is not exactly true to life. I mean, there was no escaping across the Alps in the middle of the night. For one thing, that route would have taken them into Nazi Germany.
Instead, they crossed the railroad tracks behind their villa and boarded a train for a “vacation” in Italy where the family also had citizenship. The Austrian borders were closed the next day.
Perhaps our first clue that the story wasn’t exactly true to life could have been the sisters complaining about
Maria singing in the Abbey…while singing in the Abbey.
Like the real Maria, the theatrical Maria says the most important thing is “to find the will of God, and to do it.”
So for each of us there are countless threads that run through our lives. We can’t see the entirety of the picture that is being woven. But the master weaver can.
We are the sum of many parts. Some good. Some bad.
We’re the sum of the people we’ve known and interacted with.
There are days when I look at my life and think that it’s just a tangled mess.
But the tapestry is not finished.
Knowing that is one of my favorite things.
Photo by Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson on Unsplash
THINGS YOU SHOULD READ
How American Authors Helped Push an Agenda of “Temperance”
Literary Hub
Methodist Theologians Convene in Historic Summit
Juicy Ecumenism
Virginia Democratic State Senator Demands End to Mask Mandates in Schools
National Review
Youngkin Aims to Restore Process Over Politics
Shaun Kenney at The Republican Standard
ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY
1880 – Douglas MacArthur, American general, Medal of Honor recipient (d. 1964)
1925 – Paul Newman, American actor, activist, director, race car driver, and businessman, co-founded Newman’s Own (d. 2008)
1946 – Gene Siskel, American journalist and film critic (d. 1999)
1955 – Eddie Van Halen, Dutch-American guitarist, songwriter, and producer (d. 2020)
1958 – Ellen DeGeneres, American comedian, actress, and talk show host
WHAT I’M READING
BENEDICTION
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20–21