Thought this was a fitting place to post this. How true.
"The Quilt 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 labelled 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 colour 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!
> >
"The Quilt 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 labelled 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 colour 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!
> >
