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Poems & Quotes
My heart is smiling-Kelly
THE 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 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. |
