Mama was a meticulous seamstress who adored sewing. I have inherited neither her ardor nor her ability. But I whiled away many hours with her in fabric stores, choosing paper patterns, feeling the quality of the material, picking out threads and buttons and zippers.

A lot of our time was spent in the remnant section of the store – an area that had the dregs of the bolts of cloth, seldom enough to make much but a kid’s shirt or pants, but great quality material at a fraction of its original cost. After picking out a remnant, Mama would proceed to smell the cloth to see if it was enough to make the garment she envisioned. Actually I learned later she wasn’t smelling it at all – she was holding one end to her nose and stretching it out the length of her arm, the distance of which was about a yard. I liked it better when I thought she could smell how long it was!!

Today I saw a Facebook posting by a friend. It had a beautiful picture of the American flag, over which was written “God bless America, my home sweet home.” And my friend had commented, “Please continue to do so for your remnant, Lord.” Which got me on this remnant thing.

I did a little (very little) Bible research and found out  there are numerous references to “the remnant” in the Old Testament, and several in the New. The Anchor Bible Dictionary describes the remnant as “What is left of a community after it undergoes a catastrophe.” Certainly the Jews have undergone innumerable catastrophes since their beginning – and yet a remnant still remains to this day.  In the New Testament we are told in Romans 11:5 that, “So too at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” And a scary-sounding verse appears in Revelation 12:17 – “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

As scary as that verse is, I think my FB friend was referring to this remnant when she prayed her prayer on this Fourth of July. That remnant is us – those who pray for our country, who continue to seek a closer relationship with Jesus, who follow Him and obey him, who even know His smell.

But unlike Mama, who merely looked like she was smelling the cloth to find if it was suitable for her purpose, God knows by the smell of Jesus clinging to our souls if we are the remnant He can use for His eternal purpose.

Please do continue to bless our country, Lord, for your remnant and for all those You yearn to have included in your remnant. May the smell of Jesus once again waft over this land.