His Tapestry

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

As Laurie and I sat in church one Sunday morning, our pastor shared that buses were loading with high school students headed to Hume Lake for a week of camp. Before we left, he invited everyone to stop by a table, pick up a wristband with a student’s name on it, wear it throughout the week, and pray for that student by name.

It was such a simple invitation.

Laurie walked over and picked up a wristband. A few moments later, I found myself drawn to another one. We slipped them onto our wrists and headed to the car.

When we looked down, we both smiled.

We had each picked the same name.

Evelyn.

Out of all the names available, we had both randomly chosen Evelyn.

Or perhaps it wasn’t random at all.

Throughout the week, we prayed faithfully for Evelyn. We prayed that, away from the distractions of everyday life, she would experience what so many people throughout Scripture experienced when they withdrew to be alone with God.

Mark 1:35

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

Jesus often slipped away to quiet places to spend time with His Father. In those moments came peace, clarity, direction, and the assurance of His Father’s love. Camp can provide that same kind of opportunity for a young man or young woman—to step away from the noise long enough to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd.

As we prayed, we asked that Evelyn would discover her true identity—not what the world says about her, but what God says about her.

John 1:12

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

We prayed that she would know she is a beloved daughter of her Heavenly Father, created in His image, deeply loved, fully known, and never alone.

As we prayed for camp Evelyn, we also found ourselves praying for another Evelyn—our sister-in-law, who is married to Laurie’s brother, Todd. Since her name was Evelyn too, it just seemed natural to include her in our prayers throughout the week.

Having spent many years serving at camps, Laurie and I know how life-changing those weeks can be. We’ve watched countless young people encounter the love of Jesus in profound ways. Sometimes all it takes is getting away from the constant demands and distractions of everyday life so the Shepherd can gently remind us whose we are.

After camp ended, we had the opportunity to catch up with Garrett, the youth pastor. We shared how we had both picked Evelyn’s name and asked how she had done during the week.

He smiled.

“There was only one Evelyn,” he said. “We just made multiple wristbands with her name.”

There hadn’t been two Evelyns.

There had only been one.

Yet somehow, Laurie and I had each reached into the basket and chosen her name.

Garrett went on to tell us that she had an amazing week. She’ll be a senior this year at Torrey Pines High School, and he thanked us for praying for her.

As we walked away, I couldn’t help but smile.

That’s just like our Father.

He’s always weaving His tapestry.

So often we only see one thread at a time. We don’t understand why certain people cross our path, why certain conversations happen, or why a simple wristband ends up in the hands of two people who happen to be married. But our Heavenly Father sees the finished masterpiece from the very beginning.

Psalm 139:16

“…And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

He is always weaving lives together.

That thought also reminds me of Hattie’s House.

Every family who walks through one of our doors is facing a difficult season. Most arrive feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and exhausted. Yet over and over again, we’ve watched God weave together volunteers, donors, hospital staff, neighbors, prayer partners, and complete strangers to provide exactly what each family needs.

Until they’re ready to go home, we have the privilege of opening the door and saying, “Welcome home.”

Once again, we get to witness His tapestry being woven.

Maybe today there’s someone whose name has been on your heart.

Don’t ignore it.

Give them a call.

Send them a text.

Write them a note.

Simply let them know you’re praying for them.

James 5:16

“…Pray for one another… The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

You may never fully understand what God is doing in their life, but your willingness to pray may become one of the threads He uses to remind them that they are seen, known, and deeply loved.

As your children head off to college, as your loved ones walk through difficult seasons, or as you simply wonder what God is doing in your own life, remember this:

The Master Weaver is still at work.

Even when you can’t see the pattern, He can.

Trust the hands that are weaving your story.

Isaiah 64:8

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”

Stay close to the Shepherd.

One day, He’ll reveal the masterpiece He was creating all along.

Amen