one very plain wedding quilt!
 

i started this quilt not long ago, very basic, for our pastor's son and his fiance as a wedding gift. i needed it to be as plain and simple as possible. he is currently in seminary school, following in his dad and grampa's footsteps with being the third generation pastor in the family. a while back, someone sent me the following. i thought the style of the quilt was as befitting as i could possibly make it (barring holes!) and gift the new couple with the couch quilt/throw as well as the in a frame for their wall. thank you all for looking. i was so excited with the sun shining and all today that i couldn't wait to bind it, i had to take a picture as soon as i got it off the machine!


"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 was 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 labelled 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.
When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.."


im not too fond of the ending of this and have to change it in some way, just not sure how....any suggestions?

I love the quilt, the simplicity just adds to it. I am sure the recipients will love it, too! The saying is absolutely lovely...Since you say you don't really like the ending, what if you just leave the last sentence off? Just end it with ...who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go... Just an idea.
Regards,
Kif

I would leave the last three sentences off--leave off after" until there was more of me than there wasof you". Let the story speak for itself

I truely love that story and all the truth it holds. thanks and the quilt is pretty

That brought tears to my eyes! Beautiful! It's so hard to let someone you love leave your life!

i like it i like it! thanks for the suggestions! i know the story was long, but definitely brought tears to my eyes as well and i wanted to share it with all of you.
have a beautiful day :)

Very nice!!!!!!!!

Love your choice of fabrics. It looks great. Simple is usually the most spectacular.

Beautiful, I think the colors are great.

WOW - Just beautiful, great job, thank you for sharing, I would love to pass this story on to my brothers ad sisters with your permission. Have a Blessed day as you have Blessed mine Ellen

of course ellen! it is too beautiful to not share. especially with all of us quilters!please pass it on and on and on so it reaches the hearts of many.

Thanks for the permission to pass the story along! Your quilt is wonderful to go along with this story!! I will leave the last two sentences off...

The quilt is stunning and the passage gave me goosebumps. I too would like to be able to share with others your story if I may have your permission. Truly a wonderful and blessed gift for a newly married couple!! God bless their union.

Terri, I love the sentiment, and the quilt, including it's plain-ness.

I would suggest to leave the whole wording just as it is. I don't think any of it should be cut out.

I'd end it with ".....allowing Christ to shine through." After that nothing else is needed.
The quilt is lovely in the sunshine but it is sunny in itself.

I love your story too and if these are your words, then leave it as you wrote it, it was what was in your heart. I love it as complete as it...the new pastor will love the quilt, it is filled with the love of Christ and the hands of love.

no no these are not my words. i wish i could take credit for them but im sure they would not have been as beautiful. wow! nine mile falls! we are practically neighbors! you dont find many people from around the north idaho area on the board! thank all of you for your compliments and kind words. i have really stressed over this as it is so plain but i am thrilled with the kind things you have said! have a great weekend! i am going to try hard to finish up two other projects so i can start on a third!

I have read that story before; however, you are right that the ending is "poor" compared to the story itself. It is like you only go to God when there is no one else to turn to. The truth is, He wants first place in our lives. He should never be a "last resort." That does not mean that we will not go through the trials and tribulations, it is just that He is ALWAYS with us, at least with those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior.

Oh, that story is so beautiful.......and so is the quilt!

Beautiful quilt. Regarding the poem, it is a difficult decision since it is already written. However, I would probably leave off the last line. Thanks for sharing.

Lovely quilt.

Beautiful quilt and story. If you don't like the ending, leave off the last paragraph.

Awe, it's a very pretty quilt, and a beautiful story!

What a really lovely quilt. I like simplicity, which is why I love contemporary quilts so much. This is a very thoughtful gift, and I'm sure they'll love it.

very nice quilt and story

I wouldn't change it at all. The last part is the really important part. Especially for someone in the ministry.

great job... I think I would go with a dark border

A beautiful story. It speaks for itself. The quilt is lovely in its simplicity. It will be loved and appreciated. Thank you for sharing.

I would like to print this out and hang it in the quilt room at church where I quilt. Thank you for sharing both.I would not change it.

Love it! :)