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 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 judgemental
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."
