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
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