"My Quilt"
[Author Unknown]
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
were. 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 hardship 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 here, 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 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. 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. A
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 Father 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.
"In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him,
and without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There was a man sent from God,
whose name was John.
This man came for a witness,
to bear witness of the Light,
that all through him might believe.
He was not that Light,
but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light
which gives light
to every man coming into the world."
John 1:1-9 [NKJV]
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