Stitched on My Heart

I come from a long line of craftspeople. My mom was an extraordinary seamstress, and my grandmother made beautiful needlework designs. One day Mom decided it was time for me to take up the family tradition of crafting. She bought me a simple embroidery kit and taught me the basics of stitching and how to fill in a piece of fabric with differently colored thread. The kit included a pattern to sew an image of the Bible with a candle and the words of Psalm 119:105. As I stitched the letters, the words were “sewn” into my heart.

Psalm 119 speaks to the wisdom, beauty, and blessings of God’s word. The psalmist reminds us that those who follow God’s ways are blessed. Over the course of the psalm we are told that God’s word helps us to live honorably, gives us strength, gives us perspective, and provides hope. We are told that God’s word is righteous, trustworthy, and everlasting.

In verse 176, the psalmist writes, “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” Similarly, I have lost my way a few times in life. I’ve found myself in dark, scary places. But in those moments, I remembered the words of Psalm 119:105, and I knew where to find the light. I often go back to this verse for comfort and guidance. Indeed, it is stitched on my heart. God’s word is my light.