Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Quilt of Holes

by Cynthia Groopman

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!



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.'

The author of this email asks to send this back to her, and send it on to others.   Instead, maybe you can put this on your blog, and pass this message along....
The author goes on to say... 

If you'll do this for me, I'll do it for you....When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

10 comments:

susette said...

That is so sweet. It brought tears to my eyes in hopes that Porter's quilt had a lot of holes in his too.

CB said...

I love this. I have read it before and it is a beautiful thought!

City Livin' said...

What a lovely message! please check out my blog

http://cokebottledreamz.blogspot.com/

love and luck

alpinekleins said...

What beautiful symbolism - I'll remember this, it gives me so much hope!

Kristin

infantrywife2004 said...

amazing post..it fits everyone's life at one time or another..enjoyed looking at your blog..

mCat said...

I have read this before and it's one of my favorites!

Lori said...

I've never read this before. Thank you for sharing it Loralee. It's truly beautiful!

furygirl3132 said...

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful post. I am a new follower from FFF at the Mom Bloggers Club, so glad to have found your great blog. Hope you have a wonderful week!

Eloise
Mommy2TwoGirls
http://mommy2twogirls.blogspot.com/

Design Resource said...

Beautiful story! I have a hard time relinquishing control- I fear my quilt would be much less "hole-y".

You asked about the CBC on my blog? It's called the "Casual Blogger Conference" and Motherboard from the MMB is hosting it here in SLC. It's a 2 day blog spectacular and I'd LOVE to meet you there!

www.casualbloggerconference.com

wendy said...

That was wonderful...I love also the ending. God determines who will come in to your life..and it is up to us to decide who will stay, who will walk away and who we need to let go of.
That was pretty profound for ME right now.

I MISSED not being able to listen to conference this year. don't get it where I live. Will have to wait for the Ensign...but it is not the same.