THE QUILT

As I faced my Maker at the
last judgment, I knelt before
the Lord along with all 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 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.

~Author Unknown~

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