The word "tapestry" has always held great meaning for me. I suppose it is because, just like a tapestry is a work of the weaver or the artist, I know that my life is an on going work of the Lord. I can't say things have come easily for me. Most everything in life, I have had to work hard for and if there was success, it was through great times of trial and tribulation. If something is given to me, I know it is directly from the hand of God.
I read this years ago and It was very special to me at the time. I haven't thought about it in years, until I just stumbled across it and thought I'd share it with you. I know that just as a tapestry is a creation by the artist. The artist h
as a vision for how his creation will turn out. On one side of the tapestry, it is a jumbled mess of knots and threads. It isn't until the tapestry is turned over that all of the sudden the creation is revealed.
My life hasn't always made sense, and I've made many mistakes, but I can simply thank Him for His grace.
The Tapestry of My Life
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.”
Author Unknown
“‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Let your light shine before men is such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’” Matthew 5:14,16 (NASB)
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