This is an email that my DH sent me, and it really touched my heart. Author is unknown
QUILT OF HOLES
As I faced my Maker at the last judgement, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid out 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 was our life.
As my angel took each piece of cloth from my 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, with the challenges and temptations I was faced with every day. I saw hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Few others 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 scruntiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been .... then 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 faith and love and laughter in my life, but there had also been trials of illness, wealth and false accusations that took me into dispair. I had to start over may times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up the pieces 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 hope that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgemental stares of those who judged me unfairly.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I looked around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked at 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, 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 your quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ Jesus to shine through!
God Bless
Mona