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 were. 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 all the earthly fortunes. I had 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 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 through 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, 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."
Tears filled my eyes as everyone gazed upon
the most beautiful tapestry.

Author Unknown