A stitch in time

Lily Cathcart May 22, 2023 0 1

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Acts 9: 36-42

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37 At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ 39 So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Isn’t it fascinating that one of the few things we know about Tabitha is that as she lay dead her friends, widows, wanted so much to show Peter what she had made. We don’t know much about Tabitha and even less about her life after this instant — but we know that those around her valued her and the things she made.

Perhaps because she sewed with such quality and artistry. Maybe because she made things with love and care for those she loved and cared for. Or that she made clothing as an act of charity, offering dignity for those society was trying to forget about.

Was it this Peter prayed about as he knelt? About the garments as yet un-sewn. The creativity as yet unleashed, kindness the world still needed.

We will never know what Tabitha went on to do with the reminder of her days but we can imagine that she made many more beautiful, love filled, dearly needed outfits and made what little difference she could to the world around her.

PRAYER:

Dear God who made us makers,

Thank you that we still know this tiny snippet of Tabitha’s life

Help us to value the creativity of those around us

Guide us as we explore our own ability to create

Amen