Quilt of Holes

 

As I faced my Maker

 at the last judgment,

 I knelt before the Lord 

along with all 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 every day life.

  I saw hardships that I 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 scarcity, 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 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 was.

  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 wide eyes. 

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

 Contributed By Pennie Shur

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn,

 allowing Christ to shine through!

 

Please share this with someone you love,

care about or even someone

who needs Jesus in their heart. 

They may scoff,

but at least the seed has been planted,

and God will do the rest. 

May God bless you today and Forever!

 

 God determines who walks into your life;

 it's up to you to decide who you let walk away,

who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

Remember to Stay on The Believing Side of Life

Page Created By Pam Gallo

2007