Safety Pin

Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 100: Today, I am grateful for the safety pin. 

On April 10th, 1849, a humble mechanic from New York patented the device we know as the safety pin. Walter Hunt (1796-1859) was a pretty amazing man.

Hunt was always tinkering with ideas and inventing things. In fact, in 1846, he invented the lockstitch sewing machine, but his daughter reminded him of the many poor women in the garment industry who would be unemployed by his invention. He did not pursue the patent.

The safety pin patent came a few years later when he owed a $15 debt to a friend. It was a debt he could not pay and he needed a solution. Thus, he came up with the idea for the safety pin. He patented it and sold it to the W.R. Grace company for $400. He was able to be debt free with his sale. It was a great deal of money in 1849.

Safety pins became a luxury item for many years. Made from steel, brass or stainless steel, they are now made in mass production. They are easily available, accessible and inexpensive. In some cultures, they are considered symbol of good fortune, kind of like finding a penny. The second day of January was traditionally the day the lady of the house would receive her "pin money" for the year. 

Yes, the safety pin is a tiny item, but it is kind of a big deal. Some cultures pass down safety pins and sewing needles from one generation to the next to create the next generation of clothing, quilts and other fabric items. Imagine what it did for cloth diapers! 

In sporting events, even as fancy as the Olympics, the humble safety pin still holds the honor of pinning the athletes bib numbers on their clothing. They work! Safety pins survive wind, rain, pulling and all kinds of abuse the athlete might endure. They are reliable. 

Today, they are used in art, fashion and crafting. So simple... but so amazing. Isn't it interesting that the goodness we all experience from the modern safety pin was born out of a debt that couldn't be paid?

Who knew that the safety pin was like Jesus? Born to pay off a debt we could not pay. 

From the creative mind of a God who intentionally chose breathe life into a being that could choose or refuse him. Jesus lived humbly, putting what other needed in front of his personal desires or comfort. He called for social action for children including orphans and widows. He rejected none who came to him with their whole hearts. The rich young ruler, who chose money over following Jesus, went way sad. 

Unlike Walter Hunt, Jesus died paying a debt he did not owe. How amazing is that kind of love? I found this great verse in Revelation. 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. -Revelation 22:16-17

Take the water of life without a price. What a gift! What a discovery!

Look at another verse: 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. -1 John 4:9-11

The love of Christ poured out in his blood and into our lives as we walk with Him in the Spirit. It holds us together. No matter what the day brings... like a safety pin.

Today, I am grateful for the safety pin... and Jesus.