My Tapestry - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

**Astro** · 03-12-2008, 09:30 AM

A friend sent this to me this morning, hopefully this is the right place to post it......

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.'

unbroken · 03-16-2008, 01:18 AM

Thak You for sharing this <3

baileyboop · 05-09-2008, 10:44 AM

This is an awesome poem/story. Thanks so much for sharing.

grateful2b · 05-09-2008, 03:04 PM

Scott, thank you so much for this ...I am crying as I type..it touched me so deeply...

**Astro** · 05-09-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astro

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'd like to thank my supportive friends on SR who dug up this post. Haven't read it in a few months and it was a great reminder that even though life may seem difficult at times, God gives me the gift of sobriety and the strength to persevere no matter what life throws my way! :ghug

kelsh · 05-09-2008, 03:57 PM

I am overwhelmed with feelings...this reading took my breath away...if it is true...then my life hasn't been lived in vain...I do have so many holes where I did give and take back but mostly asked for help and could feel the overall feeling of love within my heart.

kelsh

bugsworth · 05-09-2008, 04:01 PM

Beautiful. Thank You

peaceteach · 05-12-2008, 03:42 PM

Oh my, Astro, this really touched me deeply. Thank you so much

Rella927 · 05-13-2008, 10:58 AM

You are truly an amazing man Mr. Astro!

03-12-2008, 09:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
Astro Forum Leader Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family! Posts: 11,833	My Tapestry A friend sent this to me this morning, hopefully this is the right place to post it...... 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.' __________________ "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty, and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming---WOW-What a ride!"

05-09-2008, 03:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
grateful2b Leap of Faith Survivor Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 4,556	Scott, thank you so much for this ...I am crying as I type..it touched me so deeply... __________________ You need to give up the life you have in order to have the life that is waiting for you.

05-09-2008, 03:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
kelsh Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Omak WA Posts: 1,048	I am overwhelmed with feelings...this reading took my breath away...if it is true...then my life hasn't been lived in vain...I do have so many holes where I did give and take back but mostly asked for help and could feel the overall feeling of love within my heart. kelsh __________________ God Grant Me the Serenity to Accept the Things I Cannot Change..the Courage to Change the Things I Can Change..and the Wisdom to Know the Diifference. Sobriety Date: July 10, 1988

05-12-2008, 03:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
peaceteach Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,324	Oh my, Astro, this really touched me deeply. Thank you so much __________________ "Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, a loss of power, and a sense of spiritual deadness." - Shakti Gawain

05-13-2008, 10:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rella927 ¢σммυηιту gяєєтєя Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spreading my wings Posts: 7,147	You are truly an amazing man Mr. Astro! __________________ Dance as though no one is watching you Love as though you have never been hurt before Live as though heaven is on earth.

03-16-2008, 01:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
unbroken Unbroken Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 19	Thak You for sharing this <3

05-09-2008, 10:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
baileyboop Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Happyland Posts: 181 Blog Entries: 1	This is an awesome poem/story. Thanks so much for sharing.

05-09-2008, 04:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
bugsworth Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,925	Beautiful. Thank You

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