FaceBook

FaceBook brought so many of our old friends back into our lives. It is good to see they are doing well and to see their families and how they look now. It is how we keep up with our extended families as well. It is also a way for us, and them, to let everyone know when they need prayer, or want to share what God has done in their lives.

I post a lot of Bishop T.D. Jakes on my FB page like I do here. Depending on your level, Christ sends someone who speaks to that level into your life. There have been many times I prayed for someone to address my current circumstance, and when the time was right the answer was there. Some, like Bishop Jakes, speak and you hear what you need, while others hear what they need at the same time.

When Jesus spoke, especially in parables, some understood, and others had no clue. God reveals His word to you as you reach the proper level to understand it. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. God's word comes to life only when He reveals it to you, and only when you are able to understand it.

When you get my age and look back over your life you see how God manipulated circumstances to bring you where you needed to be. There are no mistakes in your life, every word you said, everything you did was to teach you something. God knows what you are going to say and do before you do it. Every situation in your life taught you something you needed to get where you are going. Your purpose, your gift, may be for only one moment in time, or like Bishop Jakes, to affect the world.

This writing made so many things clear to me. I posted this before, but it is worth reposting.

The Tapestry of Life - Unknown Author

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." "'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