My Quilt
As I faced my Maker at the Last Judgment, I knelt before the Lord along
with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the
squares of a quilt in many piles. An Angel sat before each of us sewing
our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my
angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and
empty each of my squares was.
They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part
of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I
was
faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were
the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny
hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color
and
the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was
disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together,
threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the
light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up
their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon
me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly
fortunes... I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also
been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from
me
my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times, I often
struggled
with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to
pick
up
and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for
help
and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I
endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that
I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who
unfairly judged me. Now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it
was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
A gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me
with
wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many
holes, creating an image, the face of Christ.
Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He
said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My
hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when
you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me
than
there was of you.
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine
through?
May God bless you today and forever...
