God's Patchwork Masterpiece

Subject: God's Patchwork Masterpiece Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:12 am

God's Patchwork Masterpiece ~

As i faced my Maker at the last judgement, i knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us, our lives were laid out, like the cloth squares of a quilt, in many piles. As my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, i noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares looked. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labelled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges i had faced in life every day. The hardships i had endured were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. No-one else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich colour, the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. Like binding air, my angel sewed together the ragged pieces of cloth that seemed threadbare and empty. The time came when each life had to be displayed and held up to the light - the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each person holding up their own tapestries; so filled their lives had been. My angel looked up and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't possessed all the earthly fortunes. I had possessed love and laughter in my life, but there had also been trials of illness, wealth and false accusations that took me from my world. I had needed to start over many times. I had often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to muster the strength to pick up and start again. I had also spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often endured ridicule. But each time, i had offered my pain up to the Father in hopes that i would not melt beneath the judgmental gaze of other people.

But 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 at the tapestry before me. Light flooded many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ.

Then the Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave your life over to Me, it became My life. My hardships and My struggles. Each point of light in your life represents each time 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

~ Unknown ~

Subject: Re: God's Patchwork Masterpiece Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:59 am

I~

I will not die an unlived life,
I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire,
I choose to inhabit my days to allow my living to open me,
To make me less afraid, more accessible,
To loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise,
I choose to risk my significance, to live so that which comes to me as seed,
Goes to the next as blossom and then which comes to me as blossom,
Goes on as fruit.

Subject: Re: God's Patchwork Masterpiece Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:00 am

Difficulties arise in the lives of us all. What is most important is dealing with the hard times, coping with the changes and getting through to the other side where the sun is shining just for you. It takes a strong person to deal with tough times and difficult choices. But you are a strong person. It takes courage, but you possess the inner courage to see you through. It takes being an active participant in your life. but you are in the drivers seat and you chose the direction you want tomorrow to go in. Hang in there and take care that you dont lose sight of the one thing that is consistent, beautiful and true. Everything will be fine and it will turn out that way because of the special kind of person you are. So.... beginning today and lasting a lifetime through, hang in there and dont be afraid to feel the morning sun is shining...... just for you.

Subject: Re: God's Patchwork Masterpiece Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:00 am

May there........
Always be work for your hands to do,
May your purse always hold a coin or two,
May the sun always shine on your window pane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain,
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
May god fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

~ Unknown ~