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 our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But, as my angel took each piece of cloth of 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. 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
other 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 that there
was of you. May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine
through.
___________________________________________________________
In memory of Robert V. Minder, a good
friend.
Author unknown
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