Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Day and Night (07/10/14)
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TITLE: The Leather Cross | Previous Challenge Entry
By John Esposito
07/15/14 -
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Here is one of my journeys through day and night. It’s a refreshing reminder of the daily grace that God showers down on me.
Finishing up with a customer and double checking his order he says to me,
“Hey, hang on minute I have something for you. My wife and I were in Nashville last week and when I saw these I thought of you.”
“Wow this is awesome, thanks Jim. I don’t have one like this.”
“Yeah we were in a custom leather shop and when the owner has left over leather he makes these crosses. Then he stamps the praying hands in the middle, throws them in a basket and they’re free for the taking. I remembered that you collect crosses so I had to get you one.”
And that was it. A three minute “Hey how are you doing?”, “Do you have everything you’ll need for the day?”, “Have a great day I’ll see you tomorrow” exchange.
I work at a lumber yard where the business of the day is cut-throat, the testosterone is off the charts, everyone is a tough guy, and the language will make the hardest of criminals blush. I work in a place where instead of seeing the light of day, everyone is like night and day. Night and day is very different than day and night.
I thought it would be tough being a Christian in that environment. But, with a lot of praying and telling others that I would pray for them, the walls started to come down. As one story leads to another story with Christ in it, the walls came down a little more. And walking the walk and showing them my love and faith in Christ, and that I’m not afraid to share it is starting to crumble more walls as we speak.
Jim thought about me while he was vacation. Me, he thought about me and brought me back a leather cross. It’s awesome to be able to see over the wall now, and to say hello and shake hands with someone again. There are still some that don’t see the removed walls and just see the rubble. I’ll have to keep reminding them not to look at them as stumbling blocks, but as stepping stones. Maybe with a little more time, more prayers and a few shovels we’ll get there.
And isn’t this what Jesus asked us to do. To think about him daily and to love one another. To care for each other and to be always be in prayer. “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.” – Romans 1:8-10
Life teaches us that we should always strive to be the best. Climb the corporate ladder, that being at the top is where we should be. And that’s fine, there is nothing wrong with that as long as you take care of others a long the way.
Me, I’m OK with being the messenger. The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.” – Luke 1:19. I pray that where ever you are that you are in the presence of God. I also pray that in what ever form the Lord chose for you that you are messengers in your own way, and that you share that good news day and night…Amen
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When we live where the Spirit wants us to live and do what the Spirit wants us to do, we are living successfully.
Again it is a good story.
Good job.
God bless~