Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A QUILT OF 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 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!

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.'

"THANKS, DAD!!"

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Awesome poem, Pen. You make me want to be a better person.
Love and hugs-Wendy