>>My Quilt >> >>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." >> >>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. >> >> >> >> > > >
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