The Quilt of My Life

As I faced my Maker at last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with the other souls as we prepared the quilts of our lives. However, 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. The largest holes of all were the hardships I had endured.

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 all 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 and held up to the light. 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 and laughter...but there had also been trials of illness, death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it.

I had to start over with my life many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, but was able to summon the strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many lonely nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it had been. 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 eyes wide open.

I looked upon the tapestry before me; light flooded the many holes and had created an image. The Face of Christ appeared before me, with love and warmth in his eyes. He said, “Every time you gave your life over 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.”

(Author unknown)