Quilt Holes

Special thanks to my grandmother for sharing this:


"The Quilt 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 l ife. 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!

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.

To Make You Laugh...AND to Think!

So I get up this morning and come out to my computer desk to boot up my work computer. My son fell asleep on the sofa - leaving the TV on who knows what channel. Well, whatever the channel, Joyce Meyers was on. The topic was something along the lines of "it is a process - whether it be God changing us, cleaning our homes (yep, she actually mentioned that), or whatever we do - a process - little by little. Then she went on to something about being able to run the race. About this time, I swivelled in my chair to see....a grown woman laying on the stage - flat on her back! She was saying she used to think she could run that way. Then she starts moving her legs and arms like she was runnin -while still laying on her back! She said it was funny how so many of us would just give up and lay down - thinking we could run from that position. To run, she said, was a PROCESS. First you HAVE TO GET UP!

I didn't hear all of her sermon today, but what I heard definitely makes sense. Whatever we are doing, it is a process - little by little is how we get there. If we are 'laying on our backs', we first have to roll over and sit up. Then we have to get strong enough to stand...then to walk...and finally to run. Even if we are not running, we are still in the process - little by little.

That being said - and I hope the visual made you laugh as it did me - where are you in 'the process'? Better yet, what 'processes' are you in to begin with? Stop and think about it. I know it isn't always easy to 'air out' some of this 'dirty laundry', but what else are we all here for if not to support and encourage one another as we walk through life? This crazy world has a purpose, right? We are each here for a reason. God didn't make us to walk alone. So...while you are laying there on your back, do some plotting on your ceiling...it's time to rejoin the process and the race called life - even when it has knocked you once again flat on your back!

When in....look here

When in sorrow .... John 14
When people fail you .... Psalm 27
When you have sinned .... Psalm 51, 1 John 1:9
When you worry .... Philippians 4:6-9
When you are in danger .... Psalm 91
When God seems far away .... Psalm 139
When your faith needs stirring .... Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful .... Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical .... I Corinthians 13
When you feel down and out .... Romans 8:39
When you want peace and rest .... Matthew 11:28-30
When you want assurance .... 1 John 1:9
When you leave home for work or travel .... Psalm 107:23-31
When you need courage for a task .... Joshua 1
When the world seems bigger than God .... Psalm 90
When you’re broke .... Matthew 6: 25-34
When you want to be fruitful .... John 15: 1-17
When you need to know how to get along with others … Romans 12
When you’re looking for an invitation .... Isaiah 55