My Cross As A Crutch

Yesterday evening I was feeling particularly burdened over several things.  I felt the weight of the loads of life more than usual.

Harsh angry words from Aaron earlier in the day still reverberated in my mind.  Even worse were my own angry words thrown out to him in response.  

Then heavy on my heart was my conversation with the husband of my dear friend of many years.  Her disease is ravaging her mind, and my mind can’t wrap around the reality of that.  Emotions that I have kept in check spilled from my eyes.

I took my old Streams in the Desert devotional book and sat on the patio, soaking in the fresh air and the beginning of dusk.  I turned to the day’s date and saw this verse:  “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”  (Mark 8:34)

I began to read the words of Alexander Smellie, a Scottish preacher who died 100 years ago.  

“The cross which my Lord bids me take up and carry may assume different shapes.  There are many crosses, and every one of them is sore and heavy.  But never is Jesus so near me as when I lift my cross, and lay it submissively on my shoulder, and give it the welcome of a patient and unmurmuring spirit.  He draws close, to ripen my wisdom, to deepen my peace, to increase my courage, to augment my power to be of use to others, through the very experience which is so grievous and distressing, and then…I grow under the load.”

Then the author added this:

“Use your cross as a crutch to help you on, and not as a stumbling block to cast you down.”

I know there are several meanings that carrying our cross conveys, yet all of them indicate a difficult load in life.  Every person I know is carrying a burden today, some more than others.

But Jesus also promised that if we come to Him with our burdens, He will give us rest:  “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:30)

The word “easy” means “tailor made.”  God knows exactly what is best for me, for my dear friends, for you.  He is not cruel.  Read again what the old Scottish preacher said.  

God is near in our burdens, giving us wisdom and filling us with purpose and peace we can learn no other way.

Oh, may I…may you…use our crosses as a crutch to help us walk through this life in a way that honors our Heavenly Father and grows us more like Him.

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Author: Patty hesaidwhatks

I'm Patty and I write about our adult son who has Epilepsy and Autism, who still lives with my husband and me, and who is a package full of many surprises and joys and challenges and TALK! Lots of talking, which creates laughter and some other reactions as well. I also write about how God shows Himself to me in everyday life.

21 thoughts on “My Cross As A Crutch”

  2. Patty, Yesterday in church, the sermon was about coming along side others in the church in their time of need. It’s funny, but I know more about the needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ from blogging than those in the church I attend. You are one of those saints I’m eager to meet when we get to Heaven. I will pray for you that God will give you comfort, encouragement, wisdom, and strength in your time of need. Sending love and hugs, Cindy 🙏 ✝️

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  3. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly Patty. We all have those moments when we struggle, stumble and fail even our own expectations. How gracious of God to, as you say, give us a tailor made cross to put to death our old nature which also becomes the doorway our new life in Jesus Christ. Have a blessed week!

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  5. I had to reach for my copy of Streams in the Desert, to see if I had marked any lines of the September 14 devotional. Sure enough, I’d underlined several of the same sentences as you highlighted here, Patty. That’s quite a concept, isn’t it, to use our crosses as crutches, to help us on our way toward contentment, patience, wisdom, and more. (Lord, grant me mindfulness to do just that!)

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    1. Yes, I thought the crutch concept in relation to our cross was very unique. Sometimes we use the phrase, “Don’t let something become a crutch.” But he used this idea in such a good way to describe the crosses we bear being a crutch to help us walk on the path God has for us. And as He so often does, God gave me exactly what I needed to hear.

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  6. I’m so sorry you had a challenging day and, on top of that, learned your dear friend has a disease affecting her mind. Those reassuring words of Alexander Smellie you shared were surely there to strengthen your will to carry a heavier burden. God bless you, Patty.

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  10. What a powerful reminder that as we yield our understanding and circumstances to Jesus, we will be transformed into people of strength, courage and love. It’s really who we want to be… we just don’t like the way to get there! Thank you for sharing your heart and your wisdom. I will be meditating on what you’ve shared today. 💕

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