Complainingly I told myself, "this cross is too heavy to wear"
And I wondered discontentedly why God gave it to me to bear.
And I looked with envy at others whose crosses seemed lighter than mine
And wished that I could change my cross for one of a lighter design -
And then, in a dream, I beheld the cross I impulsively wanted to wear,
It was fashioned of pearls and diamonds and gems that were precious and
rare.
And when I hung it around my neck the weight of the jewels and the gold
Was much too heavy and cumbersome for my small, slender neck to hold
So I tossed it aside and before my eyes was a cross of rose-red flowers
And I said with delight as I put it on, "this cross I can wear for hours"
For it was so dainty and fragile, so lovely and light and thin,
But I had forgotten about the thorns that started to pierce my skin
And then in my dream I saw "my cross," rugged and old and plain,
That clumsy old cross I had looked upon with discontented disdain.
And at last I knew that God had made this "special cross for me,"
For God in His great wisdom knew what I before could not see,
That often the loveliest crosses are the heaviest crosses to bear,
For only God is wise enough to choose the cross we can wear -
So never complain about YOUR CROSS, for your cross has been blest,
God made it JUST FOR YOU to wear and remember, GOD KNOWS BEST
