[¹Footnotes: one that is relatively subordinate or minor
For every big name and big story in the Bible, there are hundreds of players whose contributions to the stories of God are less noticeable. Barely worth footnotes, really, but significant and inspiring nonetheless. Here is just one of their stories.]

Her story is a familiar one that you can probably picture in your mind each time you hear or read it. Jesus and his disciples are in the throes of ministry, on their way to the home of Jarius whose daughter is on the brink of death, when suddenly, Jesus stops. He looks around and says that someone touched Him. He could feel power come from His body and could tell that someone had just been healed.

That’s when she appears from the shadows – the woman full of faith who believed that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak, her lingering illness would disappear.

She was right. Her faith not only healed her, it inspired generations after her as one of the premiere examples of faith in the Bible. We don’t know her name, but we do know about her faith.

However, she’s not the only one who inspires me in this story. There is another player behind the scenes whose contributions often get overlooked. She’s not as noticeable as the woman with great faith, but she’s still a part of this story. Perhaps you’ve never considered her. Perhaps you’ve skipped right past her. But she’s there, in the footnotes, fulfilling her small purpose in God’s big story.

She’s the woman who sewed the hem of Jesus’ garment.

No, we don’t know her name either. We don’t know if she was a relative, a friend or a follower. But someone, somewhere, was responsible for those stitches.

Can you picture her? Sitting in a rocking chair, needle and thread in hand and laboring stitch by stitch on the simple hem of the robe. She probably thought about many things as she sewed – Are my stitches even? Is the thread right for the fabric? Is this durable enough to hold up over time? But with all the questions and considerations, I’ll bet she never imagined just how important this particular hem would be.

That her stitches would hold the very power of God.

Now, I’m not a seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve dabbled with a sewing machine enough to appreciate those who can do it well. I’m in awe of the detail that goes into quilts, clothes, home décor, and costumes. From sewing and embroidery to knitting and crocheting… the potential to do it all unto the glory of God is tremendous! And praise God, there are some who do it very, very well!

One such lady at our church has allowed God to use her sewing abilities for His glory for over thirty years. Merinell has supervised or personally made over 950 costumes for pageants and festivals over the years. From the traditional manger scene attire to Conga skirts and ruffled sleeves, she’s done a little bit of everything. But when I asked her what was the most difficult costume she ever had to make, her answer surprised me – it was Jesus’ loin cloth.

Years ago our church put on The Promise, a musical portrayal of the Gospel that includes the crucifixion and resurrection. Merinell had to create a loin cloth for the man playing Jesus that had to be modest and secure, yet realistic and aesthetically accurate. Of course, it’s not like Butterick has a line of loin cloth patterns to choose from, so she was on her own and struggled with it right up until performance time. “I remember really giving it to the Lord and letting Him work through it” she said. “Then I saw how [the actor] took that and how it blessed the people.” She teared up remembering the effects of the crucifixion scene on stage and her small part in making it come together. “That was a real blessing to me. It was real special.”

Ladies, you never know how God is going to use your stitches for His glory. Is He calling you to knit hats and blankets for premature babies? Is He leading you to make clothes for your grandchildren or costumes for your church? What about altering prom dresses for girls from meager means or hemming slacks for the working single mom?

God can do big things with your small acts of obedience. Long ago, a woman sewed a simple hem and He’s still using her stitches for His glory today. What will your hands find to do?

“She finds wool and flax and busily spins it…Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber…She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns… She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.” (Proverbs 31:13, 19, 22, 24 NLT)

Q: How is God calling you to use your sewing abilities (or similar) for His glory?