The Quilt Holes

“The Quilt Holes”

            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 was 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 labelled with a part
            of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and
            temptations I was faced with in every day 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 wealth, 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!

            God determines who walks into your life…it’s up to you to
            decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you
            refuse to let go.