The Quilt

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 quilt squares together
into tapestries that represented our lives.  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 had endured, which were
the
largest holes of all.

I glanced around me.  No one else had such squares.  Other than a tiny hole
here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and 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.
 Finally, the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the
light. . . the scrutiny of truth.  The others arose, each in turn, holding
up
their tapestries.  So filled their lives had been!

My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to arise.  My gaze dropped to the
ground in shame.  I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes.  I had 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
critical 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 arose 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.

Our Lord then 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  ~


April Reisinger
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