Friday, November 13, 2009

A Quilt Full of Holes


I know it's not Sunday, therefore throwing everyone off with this spiritual post, but I got a beautiful email this morning, that has had me thinking all day.
Thanks Mom for passing it along.......


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!



**I hope to become more concerned with my relationship with God, than perfect quilt squares**

9 comments:

wendy said...

that was lovely --thanks

and boy, have I got some work to do on my quilt

It needs one of those surger things (I don't even know how to spell it, cause it involves craftiness, and domestic-isity (new word) which I don't have)

but I can at least work on and keep my relationship with my Savior in tact...sewed up better

Mae Rae said...

M-Cat, this was beautiful. It may just become a new favorite.

Jewls said...

I love that!

Unknown said...

Did you choose that picture on purpose? I love the story of the woman at the well. She was the first person Christ announced His Messiahship to, yet before He did so, He told her things about herself that, well, weren't such good things for anyone to know. Told her He knew she wasn't perfect, knew she had some pretty serious stuff to work out, knew she needed to repent.

But then, He told her that He was the Living Water, and that if she would put her trust in Him, she would never thirst again.

Thanks for this beautiful message, and the message of that beautiful picture.

Heart you, Melissa!

Loralee and the gang... said...

Thanks for this beautiful reminder...and I do need to be reminded in some way, every day!
:~D

tammy said...

What a great story. And I loved DeNae's comment as well. We all need reminders every once in awhile, and I thank you for reminding me.

CB said...

This is such a beautiful story and has really touched my heart.

I don't do this often but would you mind if I posted it on my blog. I would love to not only share it but I want it to be a part of my history/my book.

Thanks for sharing this.

Sue said...

I love it ..I haven't heard this before. I'm going to copy it for my files. What a perfect reminder for this time in all of our lives.

My quilt is covered with holes.

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