Do you read devotionals? Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowman is one of my favorites. This classic devotional is full of quotes, poetry, sermon notes, and personal observations.
Today, I want to share a story from this book.
The entry for August 29 explores the burdens or “crosses” we carry in our lives. John 19:17 is the scripture reference: “They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, carrying His own cross.”
Cowman follows the verse with a retelling of an old religious poem called “The Changed Cross.” I want to encourage you today with my account of the story.
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The Story of the Changed Cross
A weary woman carried a cross of burdens that, to her, seemed heavier than other crosses. She longed replace her heavy cross with a smaller, lighter version.
As the woman slept, she dreamed about a room where she could exchange her cross. The room was a large one, and crosses of every size and design were there for the choosing.
A Lovely Bejeweled Cross
As her eyes roamed the room, she spied the most beautiful cross she had ever seen. Set with brilliant jewels in shimmering gold, it was regal and enchanting.
She walked to the cross and tried to lift it, but her body shook under the weight. The alluring baubles made the wondrous cross much too heavy to bear.
An Elegant Floral Cross
Her eyes circled the room once more, and then she saw it. A lovely, elegant floral cross. Colorful, fragrant flowers were wrapped around the elegant form.
“What a joy this must be to carry,” she thought, as she lifted the cross from the ground. But she pricked her fingers on the thorns hidden among the blossoms. So she set the cross aside.
A Simple Wooden Cross
As she continued searching the room, she saw a plain, ordinary cross. There were no jewels, flowers, or fancy carvings. Just a few words of love etched into the wood.
As she bent her knees to pick it up, she was surprised. It was much lighter than the other ones. Then, a radiant light poured down from heaven, and the woman recognized the cross as her own.
When the burdens of life are heavy – too heavy to bear alone – remember this. No cross is lighter than your own, and Jesus will help you carry it. ◻️
📖 READ – Anson D. F. Randolph published The Changed Cross and Other Religious Poems in 1866. Read it for FREE at the Internet Archive.
Related Posts
- 7 Practical Ways to Trust God, Even in the Setbacks and Struggles
- Feeling Stressed Out? How to Respond When the Pressure is On
- Streams in the Desert: A Legacy of Wisdom and Faith
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. Are you a believer? How do you handle your burdens when they’re too hard to carry alone?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
📋 NOTE – You are reading “Are Your Burdens Heavy? Think of the Changed Cross.” An earlier version appeared on this blog in 2019. It has been updated for the Savoring Home community.
Photo Sources
- Puwadon Sang-ngern | Canva | License
- Nautilus Shell Studios / Getty Images Signature | Canva
