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 everyday 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 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. 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.
My prayer is that all our quilts be threadbare and
worn, allowing Christ to shine through.
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