The Cross In Your Door

"The Cross in Your Door"

Martha Meister Kiely

"If any man would come after me, let hm deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34

Those of us who live in traditional homes can still claim some advantages over our modern sisters. The doors in our homes have a cross formed by the panels. Tradition has it that the craftsmen planned it that way. Intentional or accidental, for those of who have eyes to see, there is a cross on each door. They are constant reminders for us to pick up the cross in our life and carry it bravely.

What does it mean to carry your cross? No one has explained it better than John Ruskin:

"Taking up your cross is carrying whatever you find is given you to carry as well and stoutly as you can with out making faces or calling people to come and look at you. All you have to do is keep your back straight and not think of what is on it--above all do not boast of what is on it."

Today take up your cross and rejoice that God has considered you able to carry your share of the load.

Read: Mark 8: 34-38

Pray: My God, I have never had the courage to thank you for my cross. I have kept hoping you would remove this one and give me a lighter load, easier cross. As years pass by, I realize that I have grown stronger because my cross was heavy. Now I ask only that thou continue to give me strength. Amen.
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Devotions for Women at Home, Martha Meister Kiely, Abingdon Press, ISBN # 0-687-10679-6