A Gift

Aside from chocolates, the only thing I got from our recent family holiday to Switzerland was a crucifix which I bought from a second-hand store next to the Brunig-Hasliberg railway station. Our small group tour was on its way from Interlaken to Lucerne and we wanted to make a quick toilet stop at the station. Someone wondered into the store and we ended up spending the next half an hour there.

I  was reluctant to enter the store. I only shop when I have something specific in mind and I didn't like the idea of seeing something interesting but too bulky to lug around for the remainder of the holiday without damaging it.  Next to the entrance of the store, I saw dusty books and what looked like VHS tapes which made me wonder whether the store had anything interesting to offer. But there was a few minutes to kill and it was more comfortable to be indoors away from the cold. Upon entering the store, I was surprised with how big it was considering that we seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. It had a wide variety of goods from small badges and pins to a full knight's armour. This was getting interesting.

The crucifix was laying flat on a table near the entrance and quickly caught my eye. I've often seen crucifix made fully of either wood or metal, but this one was slightly different. The cross was carved out of wood whilst the image of the crucified Christ was sculpted in metal. It was large - 24cm x 50cm. There was a small piece of masking tape stuck to the bottom of the cross with the price written on it - "22".  I held it up and looked around. I was genuinely confused. Such a beautiful artefact for CHF22 placed so close the entrance and nobody took interest in it? Was it really only 22 Francs?

I walked around the rest of the store to see if I could find something identical. This crucifix didn't have to be one-of-a-kind but I wanted to be sure it wasn't mass produced either. There were other crucifix but nothing similar.  I like the fact that it was second-hand, that it meant something to someone some time in the past. It made me think about why it may have been given away or sold to a second-hand store. What was the story behind the ownership of this cross? I decided to buy it.

I once told a bible study group that I sometimes wished I had something to visually remind me of the pain and the humility of Christ as he hung on the cross.  When the mind is confused and the heart anxious, the sight of the cross stops me on my tracks.  In His most defeated hour, the cross is a reminder of His promise "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light". I thank God that He placed this crucifix with me to remind me of His grace.

Have a blessed new year ahead.

"There is no problem too big 
God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall
God cannot move it

There is no storm too dark
God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep
He cannot soothe it

If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know my brother that He will carry you
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know my sister that He will carry you" 

~ Scott Wesley Brown