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| Before
each of us lay our lives like the squares of a quilt in
many piles. |
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As
in a dream, I faced my Maker. I knelt before the Lord, along
with all the other souls.
Before each of us lay 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 represented 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 earthly fortune. 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 Lord in hopes that I would not melt 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 the 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. |
