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

      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.