I have had many people ask if Terri would contribute to this fine blog of literary amusement from time to time, and yes, it has finally happened!  Due to a tremendous amount of requests for a copy of the poem Terri’s grandmother had writtenRag_quilt_layout_2  (as read by Terri in Columbus, OH and Phoenix, AZ) Terri compiled the following.  Enjoy!

Here is the Quilt of Life Poem that was read in

Columbus

in June, 2008.  The points that I love to apply to this awesome Team business are:

1.       We need to design what our “Quilt of Life” will look like – i.e. what do we want the end product of our life to be?  We need to write it down so we see the pattern that we desire to make.

2.       Don’t focus on the “gray squares”.  They happen.  This too shall pass.  And when the gray does pass, it will be a beautiful backdrop for the rest of the colors of life…as long as we continue to press on despite the gray squares.

3.       We need to start stitching!  So many have a great plan for a quilt and then they get distracted with the good when the great awaits. They get afraid to do what it takes.  They get focused on the color of the thread or the shape of the needle or how the thread and needle were recently changed and they lose sight of the Quilt they designed.   It takes work, but the success of seeing your quilt come to fruition makes every stitch worth it.

God has great plans for each of us (Jer 29:11), so we need to make our Quilt of Life for His glory.

God bless,

Terri

Quilt of Life

by Fern Estes

Golden Poet of the Year Award 1987

Our life here on earth is much the same

As a beautiful quilt on display

The pattern is there, we are given the cloth

To form the blocks each day.

As children, we choose the reds and the golds,

The pinks, the blues and the greens.

We have never yet seen the drabness that comes

With the shattering gray of our dreams.

We form the blocks haphazardly

With no thought of hues or design.

It is only when it is half finished

Do we notice the passing of time.

It is then we can see the red and the gold

More beautiful patches of gray.

Just like the darkest nights of our lives

Are made bright by the breaking of day.

As the quilt stretches out in my twilight years

And I add a few stitches each day.

I can see the touch of the Master’s Hand

As I look at those patches of gray.

Life wasn’t meant to be a an array

Of bright colored pinks and blue.

He knew there would be patches of gray

When He gave the pattern to you.

Sequel to the Quilt of Life

Silver Poet Award 1990

The quilt of life is nearly finished

Just a few more seams to run

Just a few more roads to travel

And [the] my journey will be done.

There were days when (my) life was sunny

There were days when the sky was gray

But when the quilt of life is finished

It will be a glorious day.

There will be no blocks unfinished

All complete and all made true

The colors blended like He promised

When He gave the blocks to you.

Yes, our lives are like patchwork

Stitched together with our love

Blues and pinks and grays together

Sent to us from God above.

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5 responses to “Quilt of Life”

  1. Deb Symons Avatar
    Deb Symons

    Thank You Terri for sharing this with us yet again. It had me in tears @ the Columbus Major and almost again.
    God knows the final masterpiece of our quilts before He even gives them to us like said above.
    I know oh so well that when we receive our gray patchs that it will not be easy but when we receive our colorful patchs from Him they will only catch our eyes with excitement that much more.
    If He only gave us colorful patchs we would get bored, and not look for His work in our lives.
    So when you receive your gray patchs in life, look towards Him, press into Him, and wait patiently for the beautiful colorful patchs that are about to be stitched into your life!
    Amen.

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  2. Phyllis Hoff Avatar
    Phyllis Hoff

    Chris and Terri:
    Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I want to copy this as this is exactly how I felt when my mother passed away right after the Louisville Major.
    I also want to say that I had put off reading the Seasons of Life, and have just recently completed it.
    Oh my gosh! Every father, son and mother of a son needs to read this book. My son has not had his father in his life for many years, and does not even know where he is. This is definitely a book I will have him read, and I am sorry I put off reading it until now.
    I know you two have sons, and I am certain you follow this book closely for your boys.
    You two are incredible people and I feel so blessed to know you.
    Thank you so much.
    Phyllis

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  3. RDM Avatar

    Terri,
    You are one of the most inspiring speakers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. Your “Hero” talk (not sure what you titled it) in St. Louis this winter was truly phenomenal. I am still hoping the home office puts that one on CD for us!
    I’m sure you hear this a lot, but I am also certain that no one can hear it enough…keep up the great work! Your servant’s heart and humble attitude are a model for us all.
    Ryan McNair

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  4. Kara Plank Avatar
    Kara Plank

    Terri, You are such an inspiration to me. The notes from your talk about the quilt poem and lessons from it have sustained me through tough times since the major while waiting for my husband to get home from his deployment. I wanted him to be able to come to the major so badly, and now I am SO thankful that didn’t stop me from coming anyway. I honestly don’t know what I would do sometimes without the Team and System getting me through this long year of waiting…Keep shining your light. It is a bright spot at the end of “gray-patch-tunnels”.

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  5. Ronnie Warman Avatar
    Ronnie Warman

    Thank you so very much for the “Quilt of Life” and the Sequel. My dad passed away on the July 16, 2008, 2 weeks ago today. Had it not been for TEAM and our upline I don’t know how I would have gotten through it. The poem and the sequel brings it all home to me and is a GREAT comfort. Thanks for all you do and stand for.
    We were in Columbus, OH and look forward to seeing everyone in Louisville, KY. God Bless and again, Thanks!!!

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