As I faced my Maker at the last Judgment, I knelt before the
Lord along with 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 were. 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 had 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 had 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. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what
it was, and I had to accept it for what it had been. I rose and
slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled
gasp filled the air.
I gazed around at the others who stared at me with
eyes wide. 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.