Do you know what I mean by a “rag-rug”? I suppose it is so named because it is made out of old cloth, too ratty to wear anymore. Blue jeans make great rag rugs because the fabric is so strong. Some folks use wool for the same reason. Before the days of the rotary cutter, women tore the cloth, or used s scissors to cut clothing into strips about an inch and half wide. They sewed the strips together in very, very, very long streamers and rolled the fabric into balls. If you want to see the process once it hits the loom, visit Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio or chat with most any Amish woman. She will be able to explain it all to you.
About the only thing I liked about cleaning as a kid was listening to my mom clean a rag-rug. Yes, I said “listening”. You see, if you have just the right force, the rug will roll out into the air with a cracking sound. To me it is the sound of renewal. The dust and pine needles and cookie crumbs blow into the air as the woman turns back into her home and settles the rug into its place until the next cleaning day. No further thought is given to what was shaken out; only appreciation for the rug’s beauty and usefulness.
God is willing to let go of my sins even as my mother was willing to let go of the dirt on her rugs. I often try and gather up the crumbs and fuss and moan over them long after the sound of God’s forgiveness has cracked in the wind. God has moved on… perhaps I should move on as well; perhaps you should too.
May the sound of grace renew our days and comfort our nights.
