This summer we were able to visit the Italian island of Burano, which is a tiny little island situated by Venice. Burano originated as a fishing village, but later became famous for the Burano lace that the village women made. Lacemaking is painstakingly detailed work.
The lace they make by hand here is amazing! The detail and craftsmanship is beyond mind-blowing. But what I found most interesting is that it takes 5 or more different steps to make one piece of lace, depending on the intricacies of the piece. Even more fascinating is that each step is completed by a different person. Each person has mastered one part of the process and that is all they do. When they have completed their step, they hand off the lace to the next person, who then adds their step to the process. Real Burano lace is done by hand, slowly, and with great pride and care.
When the process is finished, you have a beautiful and stunning piece of handwork. But it takes everyone, multiple women, doing their part to make the whole. I found it interesting when our translator was telling us that the women usually only do what their set step is-- they don't change places, they don't switch it up-- they do what they do best.
I also find it fascinating that one piece of lacework takes many people to complete, as well as a lot of time. There is no rushing the process. There is no skipping steps. They do the stitches and steps in a certain order, each step building the foundation for the next, and so on until the process is completed. Everyone plays an important role in the end product, and everyone contributes their skill, what they are good at, to make a complete piece.
I'm going to circle back to the scripture I started with. In case you don't know the story of Esther, here's the shortened version. The Jews were facing persecution from some highly placed government officials. This is a time when Persia ruled the land. The King was throwing a party and requested his wife to come and she refused. We all know that's not a good thing. Needless to say the king found himself in need of a new queen, and this is where Esther's story begins. She had to have been a stunningly beautiful women. But I believe her beauty was more than skin deep, and that's what truly made her beautiful.
Esther, with the help of her uncle, catches the Kings eye and is made queen. Esther is also a Jew. There is a plot to get rid of the Jews brewing by some who are in authority within the government. Esther's uncle hears about this and he then sends word to Esther, asking her to do something about this plot. She replies by stating the law-- which is that no one goes before the king uninvited-- to do so means death. And to state that she hasn't been invited to go before the king in a month. Basically, Esther is saying that she is scared to step out and do anything. And her uncle's reply contains the piece of scripture I quoted at the beginning.
What Esther's uncle is asking or even challenging Esther to do is to do her "piece." That maybe this is why she was created and placed in the position as queen. Long story short-- Esther steps up to the plate, and saves the Jews.
But what is often overlooked in this story of Esther is the fact that although Esther's "stitch" was an important piece that was needed to complete the story, there were also other steps or stitches made by other people. These steps or stitches were also important, for if one of those steps or stitches had not been complete, the story would not have turned out so beautifully.
Esther is hailed as the hero of the story, which she should be. But there were other heroes involved as well, and their stitches were just as important. Her uncle is talked about often, as he should be, for he played an important part. But what about those we don't hear about? How about the handmaids to Esther who helped her by gathering information, setting up a meeting where the King could not only have ordered Esther's death, but theirs as well? What about the people who prayed and fasted for Esther before she went before the king? I believe everyone who played a role added an important stitch to the story.
I think sometimes we get caught up in thinking that some people's stitches add more value than our own. Because we are human, we want to rate everything, to place differing values on what people are doing with their life. But I think sometimes we undervalue what people can bring to the table. We undervalue what we can each bring to the table.
My challenge to myself and to you today is to do your thing, whatever that thing may be, to the best of your ability. Dedicate what you do to God. Trust that God put you here for a purpose, and rest in the knowledge that to God, every stitch is important and valuable. Your stitch may not be the one that brings about the completion of the masterpiece, but your stitch was a necessary part of the process. Perhaps you were created for such a time as this.
I hope you feel encouraged today! I know I do. I think I'm writing this blog to remind myself of what is important. Hopefully it brings some meaning to you as well. I'll leave you with a few more photos of the beautiful island of Burano. Have a blessed week!
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