I don’t consider myself a woman of much bling. I have no interest in fancy purses, designer
jeans or beautiful jewelry. I find I am
more a collector of stories.
I’ve been a Christian since I was seven and I have
always wanted, but never bought, a golden cross necklace. No matter how much I have “wanted” a golden
cross necklace, I didn't want to purchase one myself. Just as my salvation is a free gift from God, for some strange reason (I know I'm weird!) I wanted to receive this special gift the same way.
Nearly ten years ago, I mentioned in a conversation
with my Nana that I’d always wanted a golden cross necklace. I wasn’t intentionally dropping a hint, but
she picked up on it anyways. A few
months later, for my birthday, my Nana and Papa gave me a wooden, blue cross on
a golden chain. The note in the box said
that this wooden one will have to do until they find the perfect cross for me.
Five years ago, my Nana’s life was cut short and many of her plans
were left incomplete. I never received my golden cross, though now
I deeply cherish my wooden, blue cross.
……………………………………….
Getting into my car after work at Weldon yesterday I
checked my phone to discover I had a message from my mom. She and my aunt wanted to get together and
talk. My thoughts went a million
directions wondering why and what they were going to tell me. Is someone sick? Has cancer struck again? Is there a problem with someone?
After we
were all settled with our coffees, my aunt began.
She took my hands, looked into my eyes and said, “I
am very proud of you. You are impacting
lives at your church and impacting lives at school. Nana too would be very proud of you.”
I had no idea this is where the conversation was going. Then she continued...
“I know Nana never got a chance to buy you your
golden cross. I’ve been looking and I
have a few crosses I thought you might like that I would like to give you.”
My Aunt Connie opened up four boxes, each
containing a golden cross, and asked which one I would like.
My “stay in control” personality could contain my
emotions no longer as eyes filled with tears and I began to cry.
My Aunt Connie has been watching the journey I’ve
been on, and also knows the special relationship I had with my Nana that is
missing. She brought completion -
wholeness - to my life in her simple act of buying a golden cross
necklace.
My new golden cross necklace is not a piece of
jewelry I will haphazardly put on in the morning. While the cross itself symbolizes my
expression of faith in my Lord Jesus Christ, it also expresses a validation
from my Nana, through my Aunt, of the message of the gospel that I am in chains
to deliver. I don’t throw the message of
the cross around arbitrarily. I wear it
with purpose, conviction and passion.
Thank you to my Aunt Connie who not only completed
my necklace journey, but now shares in part of my story.
