So in the first part of a different take on the Stations of the Cross, the first 3 stations remind us of our human failings. In Part 2, we will discuss how God helps us.
God knows we will struggle. He expects it. He even invites it in order to make us ready to accept Him in our lives. Just think of how thankful you are at the end of a rough day that you survived it and get to try again the next day, we use struggle to help us grow. Sometimes this struggle is too much for us to bear alone. God is so great that although he recognizes the value of struggle in our lives he loves us enough to not let us struggle by ourselves.
Station 4: Jesus meets His mother
Mom's possess a magic power. Their kiss can heal a 2 year old's wound. Their hug can mend a teenager's broken heart. Their affirming words can lift up a wandering 20 something. Their presence can calm a child no matter how old. We all have a mother so we know what a mother means. Just so you know, I have the best mother out there but I am sure yours is pretty great too!
I have been in some pretty rough places in life. Looking back some seem pretty petty now but would earth shattering then. Others still seem like quite a big deal, and probably always will. My mom was there for me in whatever way was needed. She told me I would find love even though my heart was broken. She gave me a hug when I had a rough day. She told me everything is going to be alright when I was holding a 4 month old baby in one hand and a positive pregnancy test in the other. Boy am I glad that God invented mothers. And I am also very intimidated about the fact that I have now inherited such a huge responsibility (but that will be a post for another day).
Jesus meets his mother along the way just like we meet our mothers along the way of life. They lift us up. Encourage us. Help us. Give us a warm smile and tell us everything will be ok. Pray and be thankful for your mother!
Station 5: Simon helps carry the cross
Now this was not exactly a willing participant and sometimes those who help us carry our cross are not super willing either, but he still stepped in and helped. He physically took the burden off Jesus' shoulders and put it on his own. We need to be willing to look around us and see how we can carry someone else's cross for them. And we need to let someone help us carry ours if they offer.
Who is helping carry your cross? Your husband helps with the "burden" of caring for the kids. I know how thankful I am to see Leron at the end of the day and hand the kids over for just a little alone time. What about friends or neighbors? How about that wonderful mother-in-law who willingly watches the kids anytime that is needed. Or a doctor that helps cure your disease or that medicine that has made you feel human again. How about a good friend who invited you over just to chat or grab some coffee. Little helps are out there all the time. Recognize them, be thankful for them and be one yourself.
Station 6: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
What an absolutely beautiful story. A woman, who we really know nothing about, emerges from the crowd that has gathered to watch Jesus carry his cross. She goes to Jesus who is covered in blood and sweat. He is exhausted. Remembering that Jesus is fully human, you can only assume what you would feel in a similar situation. He has been wrongly accused, vilified less than a week after he was received like a king, he has been beaten to within an inch of his life, he has been forced into the humiliation of carrying his own execution tool through a crowd on a Friday afternoon. Veronica doesn't curse him. She doesn't spit on him. She doesn't pity him. She cares for him and loves him. She shows this love in the only way she can. She wipes his face. She returns the dignity that has been stripped away with one simple action.
We need to always be mindful of the dignity of others. We need to restore those who have had their dignity stripped away. We need to love and not pity. Veronica didn't have the strength like Simon to take Jesus' burden. She did what she could. We don't all have excess money to give to the poor, sick, or hungry. But we do have prayers, we do have love, we do have a smile and a look in the eyes instead of looking away.
All humans have a dignity that is given by God and should be respected by man. How have you stripped someone of their dignity? How can you repair and restore that dignity? Pray for those who have helped you restore your dignity and be aware of those who need help in the restoration process.
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
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