2 men on an island.

2 men on an island.

 

A  voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea  and only two of the  men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The  two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agree that they had no  other recourse but to pray to God.

However, to find out whose  prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory  between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The  first thing the first man prayed for was food.  The next morning, the  first man saw  a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land,  and  he was able to eat its fruit..

The other man’s parcel of land  remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely  and  he decided to pray for a wife.  The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land..

On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food..  The next day, like magic, all of these were given to  him.

However, the second man still had  not  a  thing..

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship,  so that  his wife and he could leave the island.  In the morning, he found a  ship docked at his side of the island.

The first man boarded  the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the  island.  He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship Was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from Heaven  booming,  ‘Why are you leaving your companion on the island?’

‘My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed  for them,’ the first man answered.  ‘His prayers were all  unanswered, and so he does not deserve anything.’

‘You are  mistaken!’ the voice rebuked him. ‘He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.’

‘Tell me,’ the first man  asked the voice, ‘what did he pray for that I should owe him  anything?’

‘He prayed that all your prayers be answered.’

For  all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us..

When Jesus died on the cross he was thinking of you!

Quilt of Holes

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 som ehow 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.’