To Build a Cross

I will tell you a story that happened Easter week many years ago, an experience that changed my heart forever.

I'm Ryan Christian, half carpenter, half artisan, and a little kin to woodsman. I've got the prettiest wife, the most incredible two daughters and the greatest dog this side of the Mississippi. Life has mostly been good to me, but a few years back my family hit a rough patch and my heart began to believe things that were not true. Our family had suffered much loss with jobs, friends moving, death of loved ones, and even the loss of our home. I began to question if God really cared about me or if this is just how life goes sometimes? I knew in my mind that He loved me, because the Bible said so, but at the end of the day my heart wondered…did He really like me?

A great Pastor and even better friend of mine asked me if I would build a cross for his Good Friday and Easter weekend services. I was out of work and could use the extra cash, so I agreed to the proposal. In my typical fashion, I waited until the night before the deadline to start working on the project. I rose early the next morning and headed out with my best dog friend, River. The first light of dawn hit the snowcapped Rockies and danced across the south side of our little cabin. River and I were energized to get this cross built, delivered and on with our day. So we set out for the barn.