setup: [E-Mail Ministry] The Quilt

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THE QUILT

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
everyday 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 death,
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.

My prayer is that all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to
shine through.

-- Author Unknown

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