Imagine the faith of whoever ;placed this wonderful home-made Cross
Every morning when I wake up, I ponder for a moment to decide what I want to cover in my daily blog. Some days I already have it in my mind, but more likely is that it comes to mind just before I write. I first check my favorite sites, the ones about life, current events, faith, nature and positive virtues and sometimes my review gives me the idea. Then on other days, I find a message in my inbox with a picture or a saying that one of my loyal readers has sent and that just sets off a light bulb in my brain. This morning was one of those days.
When I first saw this picture, it put my mind into motion asking questions. Where was the picture taken? What does the rough-hewn cross created out of an old tree trunk say to me and what is the person like who took the time to put it up? Why is the base of the trunk so different in color and what could that signify in this interesting piece of simple art? Well, some of the questions are easier. I was told on receipt that it was a cross from Texas and I know that it is on a large swath of land which could be in flatland or in Hill Country. Looking to the horizon it does appear to offer low slopes indicating hills are around. And we also know that whoever the artist was took care to do it naturally, cutting into the upper trunk to allow a notch for placement of a piece of similar old wood, perhaps from an upper portion of the original tree. He or she also took care to put the cross piece of wood on using rope, so it is an all natural cross out in the rural spaces for anyone passing by to see. And the gnarled piece of trunk that is so light in color may have come from another, lighter tree which became enmeshed in this old tree trunk over time. Using the imagination, one can even see it representing a living creature in the opening of the base of the trunk. Perhaps the coloring represents the purity of our Savior who so graciously gave His life for us on another wooden cross.
And now for the important part of the picture which is the artist and his or her faithfulness that inspired the creation of the cross. That the person is endowed with the Holy Spirit is without doubt, for they certainly want anyone coming in contact with the cross to know they believe. And it's likely just one small outreach provided to remind others of the importance of faith and salvation in our earthly lives, for without those things when mortal life ends, meaningful life is over. It's just one little way to provide a form of mission to others, just as we are expected to be missionaries for Christ in the way we live and carry ourselves wherever we go. Why? Because we never know when the small kindnesses we provide and the positive outlook we try to live in our daily lives rubs off on others needing a boost. Thinking positively about life and yourself is the first step toward having faith in God. Oh, it doesn't mean we think we are perfect, far from it for we all know we are frail and weak, or at least we should know it. But we can't truly believe in Jesus Christ and the Father unless we live with love in our hearts and we truly can't love others if we don't love who we are ourselves.
So, look around as we traverse the journey of life daily. There are many little signs indicative of the existence of our Lord in all the beauty that He has provided for us to enjoy and care for. And if you look close enough, don't be surprise if you run across a cross awaiting you. Trust me, they are everywhere. Have a blessed day.
When I first saw this picture, it put my mind into motion asking questions. Where was the picture taken? What does the rough-hewn cross created out of an old tree trunk say to me and what is the person like who took the time to put it up? Why is the base of the trunk so different in color and what could that signify in this interesting piece of simple art? Well, some of the questions are easier. I was told on receipt that it was a cross from Texas and I know that it is on a large swath of land which could be in flatland or in Hill Country. Looking to the horizon it does appear to offer low slopes indicating hills are around. And we also know that whoever the artist was took care to do it naturally, cutting into the upper trunk to allow a notch for placement of a piece of similar old wood, perhaps from an upper portion of the original tree. He or she also took care to put the cross piece of wood on using rope, so it is an all natural cross out in the rural spaces for anyone passing by to see. And the gnarled piece of trunk that is so light in color may have come from another, lighter tree which became enmeshed in this old tree trunk over time. Using the imagination, one can even see it representing a living creature in the opening of the base of the trunk. Perhaps the coloring represents the purity of our Savior who so graciously gave His life for us on another wooden cross.
And now for the important part of the picture which is the artist and his or her faithfulness that inspired the creation of the cross. That the person is endowed with the Holy Spirit is without doubt, for they certainly want anyone coming in contact with the cross to know they believe. And it's likely just one small outreach provided to remind others of the importance of faith and salvation in our earthly lives, for without those things when mortal life ends, meaningful life is over. It's just one little way to provide a form of mission to others, just as we are expected to be missionaries for Christ in the way we live and carry ourselves wherever we go. Why? Because we never know when the small kindnesses we provide and the positive outlook we try to live in our daily lives rubs off on others needing a boost. Thinking positively about life and yourself is the first step toward having faith in God. Oh, it doesn't mean we think we are perfect, far from it for we all know we are frail and weak, or at least we should know it. But we can't truly believe in Jesus Christ and the Father unless we live with love in our hearts and we truly can't love others if we don't love who we are ourselves.
So, look around as we traverse the journey of life daily. There are many little signs indicative of the existence of our Lord in all the beauty that He has provided for us to enjoy and care for. And if you look close enough, don't be surprise if you run across a cross awaiting you. Trust me, they are everywhere. Have a blessed day.
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