All You Need...

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance."
~Author Unknown

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 tookfrom 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 thestrength 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 heldup 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."

...When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Survival

I'm really, really tired right now. I could put up some fluffy post right now, but I don't want to. You know, I know God is with me all the time...He's my peace, strength and all I need to get through all things. But right now, this life seems like I've done something wrong and I'm being punished...things just keep coming and they don't let up.

I really can't take it anymore...if that shows a lack of faith, I'm sorry, but it's where I am. How's the saying go? "Survival of the the fittest"...it feels like a continual game of survival...I don't feel very fit to fight anything and I honestly don't want to fight or play anymore. I simply want it to be finished.

Tricks

To those who might be wondering if your eyes are playing tricks on you...that every time you visit my blog, there's a different blog skin appearing. There are no tricks being played...Cindertales has indeed had 4 blog skins the past couple of weeks. Long story that I don't feel like sharing, but anyhow, I think this one MIGHT be a keeper...at least for a little bit ;D!

Life Lessons

** WARNING: This post is ALL over the board. If you email with me or read other posts I put up elsewhere, this will be painfully repetitive. Sorry...it's all I got in me right now ;D! **


Well, I guess it's been a while since I've been on to update my blog. I've actually came on quite a few times, but just haven't felt up to posting anything. Maybe it's writer block...maybe it's simply because of where life is going right now. I am battling a drug-resistant infection right now and it's taking a lot out of me. The only oral drug left to use is really strong, so we are now simply seeing how my body will react to it and also, as to whether it will rid me of the infection.

I received this message via email the other day and am going to post it, as I thought it offered some pretty good life lessons...

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk..
FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

I came upon a scripture earlier in the week, which screamed community to me. I'm closing with it, as I can really feel God's community right now...both in terms of being there for those around me and also in terms of feeling lifted up.

"Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses' hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle." (Exodus 10:13, MSG)

Weird Mood...

**I'm in a weird mood, so I thought I'd post some Monty Python**

"I'm so Worried"

(from Monty Python's Contractual Obligations Album)

I'm so worried about what's happenin' today, in the middle east, you know.
And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow.
I'm so worried about the fashions today, I don't think they're good for your feet.
And I'm so worried about the shows on TV that sometimes they want to repeat.

I'm so worried about what's happenin' today, you know.

And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow.

I'm so worried about my hair falling out and the state of the world today.

And I'm so worried about bein' so full of doubt about everything, anyway.

I'm so worried about modern technology.

I'm so worried about all the things that they dump in the sea.

I'm so worried about it, worried about it, worried, worried, worried.

I'm so worried about everything that can go wrong.

I'm so worried about whether people like this song.

I'm so worried about this very next verse, it isn't the best that I've got.

And I'm so worried about whether I should go on, or whether I should just stop.

(pause)

I'm worried about whether I ought to have stopped.

And I'm worried about, it's the sort of thing I ought to know.

And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow.

(longer pause)

I'm so worried about whether I should have stopped then.

I'm so worried that I'm driving everyone 'round the bend.

I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow.

Venomous Drippings...

Here comes the discharge sign again. People who have read my blog for a while might very well remember what this sign stands for. But I'll give an explanation for anyone who might not know.

I guess maybe this will scream weakness or lack of meekness, but I'm going to be quiet for a while. Very well might only be a couple days, but it has to be done. I'm not real proud of it, but right now it seems like everything which comes out of my mouth hits like venom. I'd prefer to sit quietly and hopefully have some anti-venom treatment, so that when I open my mouth, people will instead be greeted with love and openness.

We'll talk to you soon and I hope that you'll be blanketed with His love, grace and many blessings!

Change Up

I am hoping to do some change-ups to my blog. I know I've been less than interesting the past while and I'm hoping to have that change. One thing which came out of me taking a Spiritual Gifts class at our church, was how strong my love for music, art, photography and writing are.

It confirmed why it's such an 'escape' at times for me, such a refreshing thing to sit down and type my thoughts, write them through poetry, song or simply thoughts, take my camera and capture images or play and listen to music whenever.

I am hoping to have 'visual' posts intertwined with the writings of my heart and soul. I know that not everyone might read this way, but because it's one of my forms of communication, I want to begin communicating that way.

I guess there'll be a lot of change ups with Cinder this upcoming year, but that's not a bad thing, actually will be really good for all involved I think!

Merry Christmas...

**This is one of my new Christmas songs of choice this year, so I thought it fitting to post on the eve of the celebration of Christ's birth. I pray you and your families will have a very Merry Christmas, which is full of His love and blessing...I pray that it will surround you throughout the upcoming New Year.**

Born in Bethlehem

(By Third Day, Christmas Offerings)

Baby Jesus, born in a stable, humble Savior's birth.

You left your throne in Heaven above, to live here on the Earth.

Baby Jesus, lying in a manger, crying for the world.

The Angels told the Shepherds of the Good News for us all.

Hallelujah, the King is here, given for all men.

For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Come now Sinners and you Saints, all peasants and all Kings.

And bow before the Earth's Redeemer, let all voices sing.

Hallelujah, the King is here, given for all men.

For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Hallelujah, the King is here, given for all men.

For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

(Instrumental interlude)

Baby Jesus, do you know you'll die for all our sins?

Don't be afraid, for in 3 days, you will rise again. Cause you will rise again.

Hallelujah, the King is here, given for all men.

For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Hallelujah, the King is here, given for all men.

For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

For today the Holy Son of God, is born in Bethlehem.

Born in Bethlehem.

Luke 2:1-20 (KJV)
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Communication

You Communicate With Your Ears

You love conversations, both as a listener and a talker. What people say is important to you, and you're often most affected by words, not actions. You love to hear complements from others. And when you're upset, you often talk to yourself. Music is very important to you. It's difficult to find you without your iPod.

How Do You Communicate?

I found this sitting in my posts from a month or two ago...found it quite interesting how it pegged me...including the part about talking to myself when I'm mad. But I basically just wanted to put up a 'fun' post, while I work towards getting back into the swing of writing.