I was out-of-town this week helping a friend face some sudden, unpleasant twists in life’s journey. To help take care of myself so I could in turn be more help to others, I took a walk. When I passed a huge stone church the archway invited me to look closer.
I felt drawn in, almost irresistibly, to look deeper. As I approached there was clearly a path beyond the arch. I stepped into the archway and I could see the beautiful old trees and carefully maintained shrubs inviting me further in. Passing through the arch and down the path I began to see a series of low stone walls with thoughtfully placed benches to allow anyone to sit and contemplate. The presence of the Spirit of God was like a thick hush.
Then I saw the Cross…
Made of well weathered copper, it stands at least ten feet tall with an abstract Celtic center at the intersection of the beams. I felt like a magnet was pulling me closer. Sensing the presence of Christ I reached out and touched the Cross.
As soon as I did I began to cry. My tears flowed and my crying turned to sobbing. I felt the release of the pain of the burden I was helping to carry and I knew I was also drawing off at least some of the pain and the grief of my friend with the intercession of tears. The cross was absorbing it. I kept sobbing as I knelt, now leaning my head and shoulder into the base of the cross. I heaved and coughed and my tears fell like rain on the ground. When I had cried all I could I experienced an assurance that my unspoken prayers had been heard…at the cross.
What do you do with your burdens and pain?
