The Quilt = (Quite Unique Individual Living Testimony)

Quilts can be pieces of living history, documents in fabric so to speak. They can narrate the lives of someone, and serve as a testament of one's journey through life.

When I gaze at various quilts, I begin to think about all the blocks, or the squares that make up the quilt. I imagine the story that each piece represents. I thoughtfully envision the pricked fingers, the time, the creativity, the effort, and the mistakes made along the way to the quilt's final completion. Once it is completed and the binding is securely holding it together, I can admire the beauty of what it has become. I run my fingers across each of its blocks and appreciate the patterns and colors of this masterpiece. Flaws are not obvious to the eye of the admirer, only to the creator. "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10, NLT).

My life's testimony can be compared to that of a quilt. Each square of my quilt represents a piece of my personal testimony: the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, each piece fits together to represent my life, and the finished product is awaiting to be shared with others. My life and all its many pieces show how Jesus took them all and pieced them together to create my quilt. The completed product can be used for His glory. My "testimony quilt" can now be shared to tell the story of how Jesus came into my life, intricately stitched it all together, and then made it complete. What a beautiful quilt I have; it is truly an original, there isn't another one like it in the world.

Quilts are not only to be admired and displayed, but they provide comfort, security, and warmth to those who receive them. Just like when one receives Jesus, they experience the beauty, warmth, security, and comfort He brings into their life. The final block or square on the quilt will be the most spectacular one of all. It will reflect Jesus and His glorious return, and God's final binding on the quilt will be complete!

Take note that God is in your story quilt; He is in all of the details and design. "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God" (Ps 139:16-17).

I encourage you to let go and let God be your focus, look to Him each day. He uses our story with all of our messes, our tests, even our trials to help us realize who we are in Christ. He created all of us for a purpose, and Jesus died for all of us to cover our sins. Lay your past at the cross, and then use your quilt pieces - the good, the bad, and the ugly to create and piece together your quilt. It's your story, your testimony of where you have been and where God has you now. Use your quilt to share the beauty and warmth of God's love with others.

Remember: Quilt stands for your Quite Unique Individual Living Testimony. Go share yours today.

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God" (I John 4:7, ESV).

Father, God, Thank you for loving us like You do. How wonderful is Your love for us through Jesus, Your Son. Lord, it is so amazing how you take all of our life's pieces and intricately piece them together to create and fulfill the plan You had for us from the beginning. Thank You for our "quilts" that serve as our testimonies of how you made us complete through Christ. May we make You proud, Father as we represent Jesus. May we humbly display our testimony quilts daily for others to see Jesus in us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.