The bobbin

The Bobbin Have you ever wondered at the beauty of fine embroidery? The designer can “paint” an exquisite pattern or design from multicolored thread and even give depth to the design with different kinds of thread and stitching patterns. Exotic colors and designs capture the attention of even a casual observer. The designer goes to great lengths to choose just the right shades and hues to produce their creation and deliver the desired message. All this is impressive, but quite impossible without the lowly bobbin.

The bobbin is a small mundane little spool of thread, usually of a single color that does not clash with the fabric so its color does not “bleed” through. It is used to capture the colorful needle thread as it pierces the fabric and loop around it to lock it in place. It does this stitch after stitch without fail and has no other function. Oh, one thing about the bobbin thread – it remain unseen in the creation. It is there, but always unseen. If the machine malfunctions and the bobbin thread begins to show, the stitches must be ripped out and the machine adjusted until the bobbin thread is again unseen. If the machine runs out of bobbin thread, everything stops until it can be replace with more thread. It has been said, “Never start a project without a full bobbin and a spare”.

Many of us would like to be the prime mover and designer who can be the center and object of attention. We like that thought that we can be used to create something to be seen by all and appreciated. (I am preaching to myself). How do we react when we see the Lord approaching us with an empty bobbin in His hand looking to fill it? Selah Jack Dyben