Quilt of Holes

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.

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"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established."
~Proverbs 16:1,9,3 (ESV)

The Voyage

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize
it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call.....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love...

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

35 Cents of Time

There I am Sunday afternoon after church thinking about the laundry.
"I have to wash clothes today."

Today came and went and the laundry didn’t get done.

There I am Monday after VBS thinking about the laundry.
"I have to wash clothes tonight."

Tonight came and went and the laundry didn’t get done.

So Tuesday rolls around and after VBS I thought about the laundry.
"I have to wash clothes tonight."

Again, tonight came and went and the laundry didn’t get done.

Wednesday. Wednesday it will definitely get done!
"I have to wash clothes tonight."

And still the laundry didn’t get done.

So now it’s Thursday. One day before the ‘end of the week.’ The day before payday. With the laundry (already) in the car, I say "I have to wash clothes tonight." After days of procrastination, this day was different... this time I actually made it to the laundry mat after VBS!

It’s almost 10pm; we are all exhausted from our busy day. My daughter fell asleep while our (now) 3 big loads wash. Time to dry finally!

1st load, 32 minutes. 2nd load, 16 minutes… I’ve used all my money. How am I supposed to dry the rest of my clothes?? I send my son to scramble for change in the car where he finds $1 hidden in a compartment. My 3rd load, 27 minutes. But I still have to figure out what to do with my 2nd load because it won’t be dry after a mere 16 minutes.

With 10 minutes to spare on my 1st load, I decide to take the clothes out and put the 2nd load in for the remaining time and practically burn my hands while removing the 1st load from the dryer.

The 1st load was burning hot. And the remaining 10 minutes completely dried the 2nd load.

Now this sounds like a simple story of utilizing a really good dryer and juggling around to get the laundry done. But there’s one detail in the story that stuck out to me.

How did a typical 30 minutes of drying become sufficient to completely dry TWO full loads of laundry? Only by God’s provision!

In all the times I’ve been to that laundry mat. In all the times I’ve used the dryers, I’ve never had my clothes come out in such little time and so scorching hot.

I went there with limited means to clean the clothes. And I left with more than I could physically supply. Thank you Jesus!

There are times where God intercedes in our lives in a grand way and we praise Him for the "big" things. But more times than none, God provides in the most obscure ways, in the tiniest of details. Do you take notice of these subtleties? Do you thank Him for ALL He has provided?

* The gas tank that’s on "E" but somehow got you back and forth to your destination.


* The laundry mat dryer that dried 2 loads of clothes with the time needed for just one load.


* The kind gesture or words from someone during a private personal battle that help you get through it.


God is present in our everyday lives (Acts 17:27-28; Colossians 1:17). He provides for His children so we can flourish. It is through our Almighty Father, Jehovah Jireh – God our Provider (spiritually, emotionally and physically) that we are able to press forward in abundance.

Philippians 4:19
19And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:28-33
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

So what started out to be an extremely long day... work, volunteering, and late night laundry... ended with a subtle reminder of how wondrous our Lord is. His provision was a gentle embrace; a touch from loving hands. Yet another praise before my day ends.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High; (Psalm 92:1)

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. (Hebrews 13:15)

With Him there are no limitations!

My Turning Point

A friend of mine came by one day
And shared an old, old story.
He spoke to me of God's great love.
He spoke of heaven's glory.

He spoke to me of man's great need -
Forgiveness for our sin.
But if we'd open wide our heart,
Then Jesus would come in.

I thought about what this friend said;
Won'dring - could this be true?
Then, on my knees, I prayed, "Dear God,
I want this life brand new."

And in that instant Jesus came,
Right straight into my heart.
There, in His presence oh so real,
I knew He'd not depart.

My sins, completely washed away,
My step, a whole lot lighter,
A wave of love washed over me,
And ev'rything seemed brighter.

In that one eternal instant,
My life forever changed;
Priorities turned upside down;
Desires were rearranged.

Now ev'ry day I realize,
When life seems out of joint,
I can concentrate on Jesus -
He is my Turning Point!


[ by Neil G. Thompson, copyright 2/15/94 -- from 'Themestream' ]

A Six Year Old's Battle

Written by M. Mendonca

I was six years old, and it was a true battle. A steadfast wind swept over the ocean and ordered an army of waves to storm the beach as if it was Normandy in 1944. The waves crashed and receded; water lurked ever more closely to the castle walls. I had spent the entire afternoon skillfully constructing my masterpiece out of sand, just as Brunelleschi had spent years constructing his Florentine dome, and I refused to acknowledge the fact that the ocean could deliver a sweeping and fatal blow in an instant. There was a large outer wall with towers erected at each corner, a neat bridge made of palms which connected the barbican to the bailey, and a deep that stood majestically at the castle’s center. Surely, this beach had never seen a finer structure.

With futile efforts, I tried to save my castle from the wrath of the sea and began to quickly pile sand into a makeshift wall in an attempt to divert the water. However, each time I reached down to scoop another bucketful of sand onto the wall, the ocean crashed down and dissolved it in an instant. Eventually, the relentless waters reached the castle walls and began to undo the tedious work I had done. Within moments, my castle was gone without a trace, and all that was left was a smooth patch of sand where it once stood.

I felt terrible; all of my hard work was ruined. I looked out onto the ocean as the waves crashed upon the shore and the water wrapped around my feet as if it were mocking my pitiful act of defiance. Rather than giving up and accepting defeat, I resolved to try something new and innovative. I picked up my plastic shovel and began scooping large amounts of dripping wet sand into my plastic bucket. With the bucket full of sand, I walked across the span of the beach to the edge of the dunes and emptied it into a pile. Back and forth, I repeated the tedious work for what seemed like an eternity.

Eventually I had enough sand, and I started to craft a new castle with the same precision I used with the first one. A few more hours went by and a new castle lay in front of me, more majestic and gallant that the first with two towering keeps instead of one. After completing my architectural triumph, I looked at my creation with pride and then over at the treacherous ocean that was sending more waves crashing against the shore. Though the mighty ocean tried, it could not reach my castle walls as I had strategically placed an entire beach between us.

As my family left the beach that day, I looked back at my castle still standing safely distanced from the water’s reach. It was then I realized what determination and persistence could yield. To this day, whenever I feel frustrated and beaten, I remember the day when a headstrong six-year-old conquered the ocean, and thinking of that, nothing seems impossible.

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Scriptures That Come to Mind
After Reading This Inspirational Essay...

Romans 2:7
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Psalm 37:23-24
If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

Matthew 17:20
"... I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."