Patched Jeans

When I was in high school, one of the cool things to do was to patch your jeans – whether there were holes to fix or not. One of the two pair of jeans I patched and embroidered for myself back in the day, became so patched it was like sitting on a pillow. Years later, I decided to take off the patches and see if I could fix the jeans with a few larger patches, but when I took those patches off, the jeans beneath were so ripped and the edges of the jean material so fragile, I set it aside to debate on whether it was worth the effort. If we peel off the patches we have put on our heart and soul, will we find a healed hole or a huge festering wound? The extreme padding makes a soft effect and can make us be unaware or forget that there are issues we need to deal with – but we are ALL definitely worth the effort.

As humans, we have our fair share of internal wounds that we try to patch over to hide from others and ourselves. We generally try to fix everyone except, quite often, ourselves. Of course, the main problem is we can’t fix anyone except ourselves. We can hold their hand, direct them in the right direction to get help, or share what has helped us, but we can’t do it. We (especially women with our maternal instincts) must let go and let the fixing come from the person who is struggling. And when we need fixing, it's our responsibility to work on ourselves.

So, are we fixing or covering our wounds when we patch them? Are we hoping to hide them so others can’t see them and maybe we can forget about them? Or are our patches helping to fix the internal injuries? When we don’t deal with an issue as soon as possible, it can fester no matter how many patches we put on it. Those unwanted holes may need some medical attention before a band aid goes on (facing them, talking it out with the person, counseling). Are we letting those "extreme padding" places be healing? This also works with relationships. If we don’t communicate when issues come up, there will be inner fermenting which will rise at some point to a volcanic eruption – that no patching can contain.

Someone shared something with me that she had read that said tears are a good thing because God is the Potter and we are the clay, and you need wet clay to mold something out of it. (Isaiah 64:8) So cry when you need to (it is healing) and let yourself be molded into a new you. Mended and free. When the time comes and you can put a patch over a healing wound, it will make a beautiful thing. Like a quilt sewn in love, our souls will be glorious.

My granddaughter wearing one of my patched jeans. The embroidery of the sun on the left leg was so torn up I took out the embroidery thread - but the sun is still there. Cool.