I was going through some old files when this picture fell to the floor. I picked it up and had to pause for a moment. The cross, it always has a way of surprising us.

On my first trip to Israel we stopped at what is considered to be the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest during the time of Christ. Beneath this living space or palace they found a dungeon and in the hole which leads to this dark room some early believer chiseled a cross at the entrance. A Christ follower took the time to say, “Here is where it begins.” Our Savior allowed himself to be beaten, to be tortured for you and me. Out of this hole Jesus would walk, stumble, and crawl his way to the cross.

Nun and philosopher Edith Stein wrote, “Do you want to be totally united to the Crucified? If you are serious about this, you will be present, by the power of His Cross, at every front, at every place of sorrow, bringing to those who suffer, healing and salvation.”

Today dear God don’t let me get so occupied with the stuff of life I forget about You!Today, SURPRISE me by the cross. Give me the opportunity to serve, to pause, to give thanks for Your sacrifice in the moments I have because they are few. Amen.