My Quilt
As I faced my Maker at the last Judgement, 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, Inoticed 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 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.
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ
to shine through.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this
story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or
remove, as the circumstances dictate.
Send by Wynona Gordon