Later in the day, I found out that this was a “clinging” cross and each one of us had the opportunity to make one out of air drying clay. The thought ran through my head that crafts were for children in Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. Certainly adults had more important things to do than sit and play with clay. Somehow I forgot the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:3, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Before we took the preformed soft clay into our hands, the following words were spoken:
I hold onto the protection God offers–
in the wilderness,
during temptation,
when everything seems lost.
I release my need for control—
my need to know the direction my life will take
my need to live by lists and schedules, plans and rigid rules
my craving for safety and stability.
I hold fast to that image of you as a mother hen, O God–
sheltering,
covering,
warming.
I choose your tent as my cover,
your shield as my protection,
your wings as my safe place.
I relinquish my hold on the things of this world—
possessions,
promotions,
prestige.
I open my clenched fists–
the ones that hold my fear, anxiety, and despair,
my anger, resentment, and resignation,
my pride, self-interest, and skepticism.
While reading this we were instructed to clench our fists and open our clenched fists at appropriate times during the reading. I must admit that the readings were more meaningful to me when I tightly clenched my fists and then let go. The words of holding on to and relinquishing became real as I did the physical actions with my hands.
Then we were instructed to take the soft preformed clay crosses in our hands and squeeze our hands around them while the following was read.
I hold tightly to you, Jesus—
You have been waiting for me, and you clasp me to you
I marvel at all that you give me,
and I cling to the unexpected forgiveness you offer.
The clay felt good in my hands as the cross conformed to my hands. Then we had to set them aside and let them dry the rest of the day. It was when I took hold of my hardened clay cross at the end of the day that my attitudes towards the “craft time” began to change. Holding on the cross reminded me of what Jesus did for me on the cross and I could cling to Jesus in difficult as well as good times.
I keep my clinging cross with me and throughout the day hold on to it while praying for guidance and praying for others. It helps me keep my mind focused on prayer. It reminds me of my dependence on Jesus and Jesus alone. It is not a magical potion of some sort that will work for me but a simple reminder during this Lenten season and the weeks and months to come of clinging to Jesus in every situation of my life.
If you don’t want to make one you can purchase a “clinging cross” online by googling “clinging cross” or “holding cross.” There are a variety of web sites that sell them made out of either porcelain or wood.
