Scraps (So-called Repurposed and Perfected Stuff)

Scraps. What comes to mind when you hear that word? Leftovers? Fabrics? Scrapbooking paper? Scrap metal?

“Scraps” can mean so many different things. When I think of “scraps,” I think of something that can be repurposed. Something that may seem like trash but can be made into treasure. I collect these types of things: buttons, denim pockets or pieces from too-far-gone jeans, magazines, stickers, ribbons, used greeting cards, bookmarks, etc.

Sometimes I see patterns or textures that I know would complement each other, and I get instantly inspired to “bring them together” into some kind of artistic union.

Repurposing of scraps, which I like to call “crafting,” is something that makes me feel happy. I get a feeling of satisfaction and joy from it—and this feeling is enhanced at times when I think of a specific purpose or person to which the item I’ve created can be devoted.

Using scraps involves artistic expression—bringing different mediums and elements together to create something new. Most of the time I don’t know what it is I’m going to end up with—at least not precisely—until I’m done. And that’s part of the beauty, the artistry, the excitement in it.

I find that I use scraps in much the same way as I write—I may have an idea, even a mere phrase—and the keyboard just seems to take over as connecting thoughts, rhymes, illustrations begin a web-like interplay inside my head.

A scrap can become part of a masterpiece. Scraps can be trimmed, reshaped, combined, and intertwined to have a surprising end result.

The most well-known Scripture regarding “scraps” in the Bible is found in Matthew 15, verses 21 through 27:

From there Jesus took a trip to Tyre and Sidon. They had hardly arrived when a Canaanite woman came down from the hills and pleaded, “Mercy, Master, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly afflicted by an evil spirit.” Jesus ignored her. The disciples came and complained, “Now she’s bothering us. Would you please take care of her? She’s driving us crazy.”  Jesus refused, telling them, “I’ve got my hands full dealing with the lost sheep of Israel.” Then the woman came back to Jesus, went to her knees, and begged. “Master, help me.” He said, “It’s not right to take bread out of children’s mouths and throw it to dogs.”  She was quick: “You’re right, Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master’s table.” Jesus gave in. “Oh, woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!” Right then her daughter became well.

Jesus referenced the top priority of His ministry at the time, which was to the Jews (the lost sheep of Israel). Though His Gospel would eventually be extended to the Gentiles, this was a “glitch” in the timeline. The New Covenant was offered to the Jews first. The woman clearly knew this, yet she believed fully that Jesus could meet her need without compromising His mission.

What Jesus said to this woman caused her to humbly acknowledge her need and that Jesus was, indeed, the only answer. It was an invitation to salvation, in stark contrast to the Pharisees observance of empty rules addressed earlier in the chapter. The things Jesus said (and the heart with which they were expressed) to this woman resulted in one of the greatest declarations of faith in the New Testament.

The word used for “dogs” in this passage did not mean the mongrel, street-roaming variety, but rather a lapdog. Jesus was treating the woman with tenderness. He was basically saying, ‘Do you realize the position from which you are asking this?’ Once the genuineness of her request had been established, He responded—as He always did to humble faith—with mercy and compassion. She didn’t care about status, and she didn’t want any part of religious pretense—she just knew she needed Jesus; and she was willing to do anything in order to get even scraps from the one she had obviously recognized as Messiah.

Sometimes it is that way with us—we think we deserve this or that. We become discontented and proud and begin to—however internally—toot our own horns. Haven’t we done all the right things? Followed the rules? Don’t we somehow deserve this blessing? We need to remember the example—for Jesus truly used her as an example of great faith—of this Canaanite woman.

We need to truly count our blessings and have a heart of gratefulness at all times. “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:1-3, NLT).

We are indeed helpless without Him. Let us be thankful for even the scraps we receive and allow God—the Master artist, crafter, and perfecter—to use them unto His glory, repurposing them, if you will, into greater testimonies than we thought possible.