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 larges 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 lifed 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!

Dear Friends,

It has been nearly a year now since I’ve moved to “God’s country” and not a day goes by that I do not thank God for being here in Pleasant Valley. I continue to see and experience a faith community that strives, and at times, struggles to do Christ’s work in the world.  How we measure that work is an elusive idea these days. It amazes me how much work the church has to do in today’s world. How many opportunities there are knocking on our doors seeking God’s Word. How many places God would have us serve and bring the Good News. We are used to counting numbers of people brought into the fold – the letters of Paul will speak of thousands baptized in just one day. And – O that we could have that kind of experience at PVUMC!

At the same time that we look at the numbers of people who so sorely need not only the word and acts of love that we as Christ’s body have to offer, we must never lose sight of the awesome impact the smallest of our actions can have on someone. A smile in the supermarket line just might avert an evening of domestic violence at home. A listening ear at the market may provide the only company a single mother has had for several days. And a compliment about her kids or her parenting might just let her soar through the week ahead.

Of course the reverse is true. An unkind word spoken with or without thinking can be powerfully wounding. Judging someone else’s life style or culture or way of thinking is something only God’s infinite wisdom can discern – and the examples from Christ are always of acceptance and love. For some reason, words of criticism, words of negativity carry more weight and serve to bring the spirit of a group down faster than words of encouragement and love.

One thing is for sure, and that is the more kind and loving things we say to one another, the more loving a community will form around us and radiate out from us. I challenge each of us to keep that goal foremost in our minds as we gather together, be it on Sunday mornings, for meetings, in small groups, and in the “parking lot” meetings. So many people need to hear words of encouragement. So many people come to church who need to be built up. In fact, each and every one of us needs that. Besides which, that’s something each and every member of this body of Christ can do. And in doing that, the love and warmth of this community will spread further and further afield. At the core of this church resides the Holy Spirit waiting for those Holy Spirit holes to burst forth in power and grace and glory. Let’s let the Holy Spirit thrive at PVUMC. Let’s let God lead the planning and see where we wind up.

Peace, Pastor Lynne