Elastic

 Daily Gratitude Year 8- Day 9: Today, I am grateful for elastic.

One of the most amazing changes to fashion was the introduction of elastic. I will be the first to admit,  too much comfort in our clothing can make poor eating choices even easier... but in many cases... elastic is good. It gives a little and remembers where it started. 

Sweats, athletic shorts, leggings... and "sassy pants" are a few items that come to mind. The stretch capability and recover-ability of elastic makes it useful and comfortable in fashion.  

January is the month everyone focuses on eating better, after a month of feasting and celebrating. One can gain or lose a few pounds and elastic means the pants still fit. 

Elastic in sleeves helps them stay pushed up and out of the way. Before pantyhose, elastic garters helped keep a ladies stockings up. It is a versatile sewing notion. 

I think of all the times we are called to stretch as humans. It isn't always easy. Stretching means we are outside of our comfort zones. Yet, in the seasons of stretching we develop new skills and new strength. Elasticity eventually meets resistance when enough is enough. It is important to recognize that even elastic has its limits. 

In contrast, God's love is as vast as the heavens and his faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. We are loved more deeply than we can comprehend. 

"Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds." -Psalm 35:6

Elastic teaches us what it means to stretch.  

Today, I am grateful for elastic.