Faith
I’d seen it quite a few times rising into the Amarillo sky. You can see the Giant Cross for miles away as you drive along I-40 in the heart of the Texas panhandle. I thought it would make a great picture so I made plans stop there last year on my way back from Illinois. I was a bit down after being rejected by my girlfriend, so I thought it would be a welcome distraction.
I made the trip from Bloomington to Amarillo in one day so that I could get a sunrise picture. And then I could be in Albuquerque by lunchtime. Or so I thought.
The morning was actually foggy and I was going to give up, but it looked like the sky was breaking to the east, so I decided to wait. At the visitor center, a gentleman suggested I go into the little town of Groom for breakfast. So I dropped in at a diner dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was there that I met Jim, a devout Catholic who spent three hours sharing his journey, and his wisdom, with me.
Ironically Jim is from the thumb area of Michigan, close to where I grew up, and part of the Saginaw Diocese of which I served when I was a newspaper editor for the Church. We compared our faiths (I was raised Lutheran), stories about growing up as farm boys, our hurts, dreams, etc.
But one thing he said really made me think: If you really want to forgive others, first you must forgive yourself. I thought about that as I continued my journey to the Cross.
Back at the visitor center I realized that my trip was going to be a bit more involved than just a photo opt. The center displays the Stations of the Cross and for the first time in my life I walked them and truly reflected on them. I’d seen the stations so many times as a journalist but sadly took them for granted. They were just a photo opt. This time I walked them and as I did I meditated and reflected on my spiritual journey. And I reflected on what Jesus has done for me and the blessings I have in my life. It became an emotional rollercoaster, the sadness of not living a godly life, the joy of being forgiven and receiving the gift of God’s grace. The ups and downs with relationships. And being given the chance to heal.
By the time I reached Jesus on the Cross, I was sobbing like a baby, and when I entered Jesus’ tomb, for the first time in my life I dropped to my knees, I was so moved.
It was 5 pm by the time I reached Albuquerque. But I didn’t mind. My little pilgrimage to the Cross and my chat with Jim was probably the most rewarding experience of my life. And it came at a time when I needed it most.
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Very moving, its a journey we should take every day ! really enjoy your writing.
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