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Finding Beauty in a Cardboard Cross

16 July, 2013 |

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Are you sharing the love of Jesus? Because sharing God’s love is a beautiful thing.

share Jesus

Share Jesus

She came every Thursday. Every year– from the time I was in kindergarten until 3rd grade when she wasn’t allowed to share with us anymore–she showed up with her flannel graph and easel.

There are few moments I remember from those first years in elementary school, but Bible Story Thursdays came with a cardboard fold-out to accompany a familiar song–and I was fascinated by it.

Set to the lyrics of “Nothing but the Blood,” the cardboard cross changed colors.

From black. What can wash away my sin?

To red.  nothing but the blood of Jesus.

To white.  that makes me white as snow

From black, to red, and finally to white as snow–

cardboard-cross

I wanted the cardboard fold-out.

I wanted to touch it and sing the same words as my hands flipped the pieces. I wanted to pause at the “white as snow” part, stretching the last word along several measures, just like the lady who’d taught me.

I wanted the cardboard cross and I wanted to sing her song.

I don’t remember her name or even much of what she looked like.

Regardless, she was beautiful.

Her words were beautiful as she sang the remarkable story.

Her hands were beautiful as she manipulated the cardboard cross.

And now, her memory is beautiful as I realize the beauty of the truth she once shared.

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15

What happened to the Cardboard Cutout?

Did she recognize the value of her fold-out cross accompaniment?

Did she realize her words were remembered still today?

It’s easy for our efforts to feel insignificant in the context of our society. Our culture is wrapped in pain and delusions and we often wonder if anything we do or say is even recognized or valued by anyone else. Still, let us share Jesus.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9

God promises us our reward in due season. So don't grow weary and don't lose heart. Click To Tweet

Beautiful Feet in Broken Places

Someone is waiting right now for our feet to step in their broken places and share the beauty of His gospel.

What can wash away their sins? Truly, there is nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Today, someone is aching to touch the cross. Share Jesus.

Let us carry the cross of Jesus to their broken places, so they, too, can be made whole.

Do you have a similar memory to share? Leave a comment–we’d love to hear your story!

Other Topics You May Enjoy

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Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: share Jesus

Comments

  1. Beth Cranford says

    16 July, 2013 at 10:05 am

    I have to admit, I struggle with overlooking the small things that I could be doing because I can’t see the impact they may have. Thanks for sharing about the lifelong impact that this one lady’s small deed had on you. It’s a beautiful image and good reminder.

    • mitzi says

      16 July, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      thanks, Beth!
      I hope you come back and visit with us again, soon 🙂

  2. Bronwyn Lea says

    16 July, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    I have a similar memory of a Sunday school teacher when I was six! He told an elaborate story about two boys on their way to heaven. One had a “ticket”, and the other didnt. At each rest stop on the way, the ticketless boy cut a small piece off his friends ticket, hoping to amass enough to pass as a ticket of his own. At each point, my teacher snipped a corner off the folded piece of paper he had in his hands. When they finally reached Jesus, the ticketless boy pulled out his fragments and they fell to the floor – a heap of useless bits. But the other boy’s ticket, once unfolded at the pearly gates, unfolded into the shape of the cross.
    I was AMAZED.
    that very day I asked Jesus if I could have my own cross-shaped ticket – because I knew I needed my own if I wanted to be with him forever. I don’t know if that Sunday school teacher ever knew what a difference he had made in my life. But the visual was with me forever, and I hope one day in Glory I get to tell him.

    • mitzi says

      17 July, 2013 at 9:16 am

      What a beautiful story!
      Just one man with scissors, paper, and the Truth.
      Sometimes I get so worked up over ‘things’ I need to enhance the work or my calling when, in reality, all I need is a willingness to share the love of His Truth. thanks for sharing 🙂

  3. Barbie says

    17 July, 2013 at 6:11 pm

    This is truly beautiful. Some of the smallest things in our lives have the biggest impact. Thank you for linking up with Transformed Tuesdays at Moretobe.com! Blessings!

    • mitzi says

      17 July, 2013 at 7:42 pm

      thanks, Barbie! Transformed Tuesdays has been a blessing-so happy to be included 🙂

  4. Mary says

    20 July, 2013 at 6:54 am

    Greetings!!
    Awesome post – thank you for sharing it! Reminds me of how small children sometimes like to play with the empty box more than what came in the box. And how my cats prefer sleeping in an empty box to a cat bed. Sometimes I complicate my life with stuff that seems good at the time, but in the end just camouflages what is really important.
    So when I find myself getting cluttered, I’ll think about your cardboard lady.
    Blessings!

  5. Katie says

    9 April, 2014 at 9:17 am

    Wonderful post. I especially liked, “Our culture is wrapped in pain and delusions and we often wonder if anything we do or say is even recognized or valued by anyone else.”
    This is so true, especially when you blog or are active in social media- or even as a mom. We value things we can measure, things we can see- and the things we can’t see are often the things of value.

    • Mitzi Smith says

      10 April, 2014 at 7:50 am

      You nailed it, Katie. and I need constant reminding to focus on those things rather than these ‘measurable’ goals I seem to wander off trying to catch. Thanks for sharing your insight 🙂

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