I Just Have a Little Cross

If you were to speak with my mom, she would describe herself as a tall, willowy blonde. In her gentle and humorous way that’s how she saw herself. In reality, she was five foot two and a half (that half inch was very important), with a welcome smile, contagious laugh, lots of backbone, and not at all blonde. Mom had many gifts but the gift of hospitality had to be in the top three. She could have coffee and dessert ready in mere minutes for guests in our home, even if they were unexpected.

Mom also had a unique talent for wearing white slacks, a pink frilly top, and matching 2″ open-toed heels while helping my Dad rotate the tires on the car. She would confidently roll a tire, with one perfectly manicured nail, to its new location. I don’t know how she did it but she never got a speck of dirt on her!!!

Sadly, Mom passed away on January 14, 1989. In just a few days it will be her 32nd anniversary In heaven. She had battled cancer for the previous 18 months with incredible strength and dignity. One day she was given a little metal cross with “Jesus Saves” stamped into it and a reading called “The Cross Room”.

The Cross Room

The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out he dropped to his knees in prayer. “Lord, I can’t go on”, he said. “I have too heavy a cross to bear”. The Lord replied, “My son, if you can’t bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then open that other door and pick out any cross you wish.”

The man was filled with relief. “Thank you, Lord”, he sighed, and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other door he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. “I’d like that one, Lord”, he whispered. And the Lord replied, “My son, that is the cross you just brought in”.

Even though Mom was a preacher’s kid, she told me she had never had the boldness to be outspoken about her faith in Jesus. That little metal cross and the story of the cross room served as a catalyst for her to become bold about sharing her walk with the Lord. When someone asked how she was doing, Mom would give an update and then take out her metal cross and say “I just have a little cross” and share how others had much larger crosses to bear. At every opportunity she shared the good news of Jesus and His redemption for our sins if we only believe.

That little five foot two bundle of love is a “Hero of the Faith” to me. Remembering her boldness about the Lord, gives me boldness as well. I can’t wait to see her again one day soon. Maybe in heaven she is that tall, willowy blonde.