In sewing, a pattern is the template from which parts of a garment are traced onto fabric before being cut out and sewn. For anyone new to sewing, opening a new pattern pack can be daunting. Inside the small paper package is a huge sheet of paper with a set of instructions that directs you to cut out pattern pieces according to your body size measurements. Simple patterns require you to cut out few pieces, while the more challenging patterns leave you cutting out various pieces of different sizes. Each piece has a specific purpose in the making of your garment.

Just imagine, you see this bangin’ outfit on the cover of this pattern pack and you are excited to begin sewing, but once you open the package and see all the work it will take to finish your garment, you realize that the process will take longer than you expected. It will require some time, learning, trying of new techniques and mistakes along the way.

Through sewing God is teaching me a lot about the processes of life. I am guilty of coming up with cool ideas and jumping the gun. Sometimes I don’t think through the process of what it will take to reach my end goal. At times I see what it takes to carry out a goal and become overwhelmed, but I know that the process is necessary.

This year I am committing to the process in both life and creativity. It is okay to take your time to make sure that the end result is your best. The process is essential for growing and stretching. Our lives are like pattern pieces, containing many parts. Like the instructions, some steps that God nudges us to take don’t always make sense in the moment. But as we keep at it and commit to the process, we better understand and see why we had to endure.

I encourage you today not to give up on your process. You never know the beauty that will come out of your life by your obedience.