Monday July 17th: What does your cross look like?

“Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.”

Matthew 10:34- 11:1

What does your cross look like? Does it look like mine? Probably not! Yet, I am sure that our crosses feel the same. Why would Jesus ever want his followers to carry this?
Crosses are hard to bear and even harder when we have been holding on to God’s promises for some time and things still did not work out. Crosses leave us crushed, crucified, heartbroken, immobilized and disappointed. St. Theresa of Avila once said, ‘Lord, if this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few!”
As I carry my cross today, I reflect on the cross that Jesus bore for us. I remember his last words to forgive, behold his mother, commend my spirit into the father’s hands and complete the mission.
As I’m grieving this cross out, I hold on to his word today. There is an inkling of hope that a blessing will be raised up; when the stone has been rolled away from the tomb of disappointment that will far compensate for my present suffering.
Jesus, I leave room amid my cross for you to still be God. Grant me peace.