My Quilt

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. And 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. An awe-filled 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. Please share this with someone you love, care
about or even someone who needs Jesus in their heart. They may
scoff, but at least the seed has been planted, and God will
do the rest. May God bless you today and Forever.

Author Unknown