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

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 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, hold 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 help 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

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

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

then there was of you."

May all your quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing

CHRIST to shine through.