lesson from an old crucifix...

[outonalimb]

I have this old crucifix for years..its very simple...and it hung over my grandparent's bed forever.

I loved my grandparents and I miss them so much. No one can love you and make you feel special like a grandparent. No One !!

Anyway, a nail fell out of the crucifix a while ago and poor Jesus was hanging off the cross. I searched and searched and searched for a small enough nail that might work and I finally fixed it and its hanging over my bed...and I feel safe and happy knowing its there. Not only is Jesus watching over me as I sleep but so are my grandparents and that makes me feel so warm inside.

But I gotta say...I felt really bad pounding that nail in.
And I've since thought about all the times I've done something to pound that nail back in during my lifetime...
I've thought about all the times I've stumbled and came up short. A wave of sorrow washes thru me when I think about it.

And yet, I know he loved me enough to get on that cross and give his very life for me. He laid his life down for me even though I"m weak and failing. He did it even though I too often let pride rule me rather than humbly turning my life over to him. Wow. Imagine giving your life for a world of sinners. Now THATS love.

Thank you Sweet Jesus. I'm sorry that I had to pound the nail back in but I'm glad you're watching over me...keeping me safe...and most of all, loving me.
My heart overflows...

[best]

I keep coming back to this thread.
Life sure does give us some profound examples.

[cmc]

Now THATS love.

Wow. It's amazing to think of the many ways He uses everyday happenings to speak to our hearts. Thank you so much for sharing this here.

[sugarssweetpea]

I really needed this today. Thank you. I needed to be reminded that EVERY TIME I sin, I am re pounding the nails into His hands.

[expenguin]

WOW....... I have such a story and my crucifix now hangs in my room near the door where I look when I get up in the morning.....and when I go to bed at night..... Jesus is my example each day and I don't like to see Him hanging on the cross for all I have done wrong.... and then I realize it isn't just me that put Him there....

I had to repair Jesus some time back.... He broke an arm when I moved in with my Husband 9 1/2 years ago ...after we got married.... thought I packed Him safely.....

Today my little one wants her own Crucifix to see Jesus on the Cross and she will have that chance when her birthday comes the next couple days.....I will take her to one of the California Missions to pick a special one ....

thank you for your story....... it is special and you need to hang on to it for a long time...........................

Little Penguin

[best]

Originally Posted by expenguin

I don't like to see Him hanging on the cross for all I have done wrong....

I didn't like seeing the beatings Jesus took in the movie Mel Gibson made but as I watch, my heart was touched all the more as I realized with a deeper understanding just how much pain and suffering He took for us.

Jesus isn't on the cross any more....

He has risen.
Go and tell the world the Good News... Jesus has Risen.

One day we will also be past any pain and sorrow of this world because we will be with Christ when we leave this world.

[6yAng]

That's beautiful how the crucifix makes you feel having it over your bed. I feel the same way when I think of all the things I've done to hurt Jesus. It's so awesome to know he loves us so much that he died for us, knowing what kind of horrible things we've done and will do. To love like that is truelly perfect, just like him.

[outonalimb]

Today my little one wants her own Crucifix to see Jesus on the Cross and she will have that chance when her birthday comes the next couple days.....I will take her to one of the California Missions to pick a special one ....

little penguin...what a great idea to let her choose a special crucifix...I'm sure she'll always treasure it...just like I treasure the one that was passed down to me by my grandparents.

One day we will also be past any pain and sorrow of this world because we will be with Christ when we leave this world.

Amen Amen Amen...how wonderful that day will be too..............

[expenguin]

I hold tight to my thoughts of Jesus on the crucifix just like anyone else....and that is what we do........ I know Jesus has risen and isn't there anymore.... But the fact that He died on the cross is my way of looking at my life and gives me a reminder of the pain He encountered........

I have drawn pictures of the pain from the nails that were driven into the hands of Jesus and the Cross He carried with the crown of thorns on His head..... along with those drawings I pictured myself next to Him...But my face was blank.....Showing all the steps He made till the actual Crucifixion.... all this I drew out..... This was to remind me that I am there with Jesus no matter what type of life I lead today....

Yes.... I think my kid needs the choice of a Crucifix she wants for her reminder of Jesus....and how she wants to picture Him.... This is her gift..... And a good one that I am proud to let her have........

God Bless you all for your thoughts of how you hold Jesus close to you...... And with Easter coming there are the stories that come with such a Blessing........ and it isn't just all about Egg Hunts and Bunny rabbits...... My little one knows that.... and reminds me...

Little Penguin

[St_Kurt]

Cool post. Thanks.

Originally Posted by outonalimb

But I gotta say...I felt really bad pounding that nail in.

This is weird isn't it? For many years I have restored antique devotional objects, mainly rosaries. I have put Jesus back up on the cross many times and though I usually have music going etc when I'm working, I turn it off when I repair a crucifix. Something like that ... It should be solemn.



For the curious. Here are some examples of my restorations: Rosarium Virginis Mariae

~SK~

[expenguin]

Wow....St Kurt..... you have some project going and I admire your work........I do some myself and I see you have gone way beyond me....... I make rosaries and give them to those that need them....

We all have things that help us in many ways and when it does come to Jesus on the cross .....it has great meaning ......

No matter what walk of life we come from there is faith.... that brings us all closer than thought about..... God brings us together .... and for that I am greatful..

In Recovery we all come together to help ourself and those around us........ We all carry our own cross within our life... And we try hard to make our program better taking those ups and downs the best we can................

I am praying for you all today...........and for that program you are working that you find the peace you need to carry on each day.........

Little Penguin

[expenguin]

The other day a pastor spoke of the importance of Jesus on the Cross and why we all need to take a good look at Him there........... Easter is coming and this is the time to consider the message behind the Cross and that Jesus is still there each day of our lives...........

A friend will get me the CD to listen to and think about what I always thought about each day of my life..............

So for my little one wanting a Cross with Jesus on is is OK.... this isn't a bad thing................ I use it as my daily reminder that no matter how good I am doing for the day there is still someone that has a harder time....................

Our recovery will have so many ups and downs each day...... and I think about Jesus that had such a harder time and took all the trouble upon Himself ... Just for us......

Today is Palm Sunday and I am going to get my little one to a service with or without my other half................I owe it to myself and my kid.............

Little Penguin

[expenguin]

Today I have come up with ideas to stay closer to Jesus and keeping the focus of the cross at the same time.......

In recovery we all need that moment to keep the faith and work our program.......... with easter coming up and all the decorating of eggs for the little ones..... I decided to do something more with recovery in mind.........

Go to my post...."Clean House" in the Newcomers section and read what was posted for March 18th........ there you will note the egg project that brings in recovery and what you have been taught..... with this you can come up with other things that pertain to easter..............This is fun for all and brings all those in recovery together along with family....

Have fun and know that I am praying for you all as you rejoice in the Easter season and what the Cross means to you.............

Little Penguin