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Vitamins for the Soul -- April 19, 2005
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Yali Shi
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Apr 19, 2005 03:10 PDT
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Vitamins for the Soul -- April 19, 2005
My Quilt
By Margaret Marie Marsala
As in a dream, I faced my Maker. I knelt before the Lord, along with all
the other souls.
Before each of us lay 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 represented 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 earthly fortune. 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 Lord in hopes that I would
not melt 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 the 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 bless,
Shi Yali
http://www.sunshin.org
http://www.asiaphotos.tk
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