Quilt Of Holes

I got this in an email and it brought tears to my eyes.

Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lordalong with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt inmany piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares togetherinto a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticedhow ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled withwith giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that hadbeen difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with inevery day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were thelargest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.Other than atiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with richcolor and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my ownlife 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 upto 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 theearthly fortunes. I had love in my life,=2 0 and laughter. But there hadalso been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations thattook 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 musterthe strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on myknees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had oftenbeen held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each timeoffering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within myskin 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 Ihad to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted thecombined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the otherswho stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the manyholes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stoodbefore me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time yougave 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 asid e and letMe shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ toshine through!

God determines who walks into your life ...it's up to you todecide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuseto let go.'

When there is nothing left but God that is when you find outthat God is all you need.

Well I think that says it all!

God Bless,
Tammy