The other day at work in the break room I saw some small cherry tomatoes that someone had grown and brought for lunch.  Seeing those home grown cherry tomatoes reminded me of my grandfather.  He had a garden that he worked in and he grew all kinds of vegetables.  He loved to memorize poems and stories which he was quick to share with the grandkids and he could play the harmonica.  He was a very good baseball player and he loved to tell a good story.  He didn’t even mind telling a bad story.  He liked to laugh and enjoy life.  He was a good grandfather and I love him and I miss visiting with him and my grandmother.  I thought of all of those things because someone brought cherry tomatoes for lunch.  I’m glad they did!

Amazing that such a small visual cue can make one remember such noteworthy stuff.  Objects can do that for us; they can help us to memorialize important events and to remember and honor people we love.  One object that does that for me is the cross.  As Peter said in 1 Peter 2:24 “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness…”  The cross serves to remind me of the sacrifice given for me; it reminds me that while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me.  It reminds me that my Lord has plans and a purpose for me and I should not take His sacrifice lightly.  The crosses we wear should not be just mere jewelry, a piece of bling while we sing…No!  They should serve to remind us of one who came and lived a perfect, sinless life and gave that life on the cross for us!  They should serve to remind us of His great love for us…for He always stands ready to forgive the repentant heart even when we have fallen short in our love for Him.  Until next time, stay strong in the faith.