A MOVING STORY OF A CROSS--- SELECTED AND ADAPTED

                                        "A MOVING STORY OF A CROSS."

             The story is told of several men traveling cross country. Each of them carrying a large cross.

One of the men asked the Lord to shorten his cross. He began to saw his cross off a bit at a time. He 

was traveling with the group. He shortened his cross several times. All went well untill they came to a deep long break in the ground. that had to be crossed and was uneven.

The rest of the travelers laid their crosses across the gap. Their crosses had enough length to span the break, and they walked across to the other side and kept going.

              This story has a sad ending. The poor man who kept making his cross shorter, found that it 

was too short to be laid across the break in the ground. He had to stop his journey.

              The lesson to be taken from this story is in the declaration of Jesus to His disciples.

              "...If ANY man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up HIS cross, and follow me.'

              (MATTHEW 16:24)

The following poem is a good reminder that cross bearing is to be expected in our everyday life.  Always remember God is there to help us.

                                      Whatever your cross,

                                      whatever your pain,

                                      there will always be sunshine

                                      after the rain.

                                     Perhaps you may stumble,

                                     perhaps even fall,

                                     But God is always ready,

                                     To answer your call.

                                    He knows every heartache,

                                    sees every tear,

                                    A word from His lips,

                                   can calm every fear.

                                  Your sorrows may linger,

                                  throughout the night,

                                  But suddenly vanish

                                  dawn's early light...

                                 The Savior is waiting,

                                 somewhere above,

                                 To give you HIS grace,

                                 and send you HIS love...

                                Whatever your cross,

                                whatever your pain,

                               "God always sends rainbows...

                               after the rain..."

(Selected)