My 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 our
quilt squares together into a tapestry
that is our life. 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. 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, 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.

~Author Unknown~