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Quilt of Holes"

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 every day 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 wealth, 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.
" May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ
to shine through!  May God bless you today and Forever!
And so ye are blessed.
God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you
to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay,
and who you refuse to let go."
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