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