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
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