Robert Arnold MettertCorporal
B CO, 1ST BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
14 December 1946 - 07 May 1967
Vancouver, Washington
Panel 19E Line 053 The database page for Robert Arnold Mettert
THE QUILT
As I faced my Maker at the last Judgement, I knelt
before the Lord along with 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 everyday life. I
saw hardships that I had 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 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 had 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 had been.
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
eyes wide. 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.
