PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- JUNE 30, 2008

And in conclusion . . .

Quilt of holes

I dreamed that we were facing our Maker at the last judgment. Each person's life was laid before them in little patches of cloth like the squares of a quilt. An angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into tapestries. As my angel took each patch of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged each one was. They were filled with giant holes. Nearly every square seemed to be a part of my life that had been difficult -- with challenges, temptations, hardships that I had endured -- and failures.

I glanced around. Nobody else seemed to have such ragged squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I looked back on the tapestry of my own life and was discouraged. Still, my angel continued sewing the ragged patches together, threadbare and full of holes.

Finally the time came when each life-quilt was to be displayed and held up to the light. One by one the other people rose and held up their tapestries. Judging from their quilts, It seemed to me that their lives must have been rich and full.

Finally my angel nodded for me to rise. I looked at the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love and laughter in my life, but there had also been trials of illnesses, financial hardships and false accusations. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only somehow to muster the strength to begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance. I had endured painful ridicule often, but each time I had offered my trials up to the Father.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it. 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 at the quilt. Light was flooding through the many holes, creating an image -- the face of Jesus.

Then, as our Lord himself 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!

Author unknown

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