I found this on the net and thought it was worth sharing. Ellen

From Rose: Warmest greetings to you in our Lord Jesus.  I would like to share a poem with you that my mother had tucked in an envelope for me about 33 years ago and then forgot about it.  She found it a few months ago and I just translated it from German.  It has lost its poetic quality but I found the message very encouraging, especially as I was going through the pain of being separated from our precious church family.  It had no title so I call it :

"The Pilgrim's Cross"

The battle is hot, the burden is heavy. Often you sigh with fatigue, "I can't go on!" But just endure; some day you will see How necessary the cross was to you here below. On a hard rock at the edge of a forest Sat a tired old man with a staff in his hand. He could go no further, he was too weary For he had such heavy burdens to carry. Quietly he reflected on the way he had come; He had started out so gloriously in sunshine. Besides, he pondered in silent melancholy, What once was his happy lot now lay in ruins. Nothing was left him, thus poor and alone Must he be as he approached old age. His heart cringed within him in woe: "My God, why must I go this way?" And as he thought and as he pondered, Hot tears ran down his cheeks. But by and by his turmoil subsided And he became aware of the presence of God. So, in faith he lifted his eyes on high: "One day the things that I don't understand will grow clear." Grasping his staff, and with heavy steps He made for a cottage on the mountain slope. There he turned in to sleep, weary from wandering, Yet thoughts still went through his mind Of all his worries and all his complaints. In a dream God himself spoke the answer to him. He saw himself as a pilgrim from land to land, Very toilsomely wandering in pilgrim's garb. The goal of his journey was that City That God, the Lord himself had founded. And on his back he carried a cross, Which is the burden that God had laid upon him. He wandered wearily, his goal beckoning from afar, Already the City shone like a golden star. But the sun burned hotly and the cross pressed heavily, He had to rest, he could hardly go on. There stood a little house so quaint and small, And there he put his cross down and had a good rest. As he rose to continue his journey He noticed a saw laying close by.

Then he thought, "My cross is too long and heavy; I will saw part of it off, then it will not press me any more." Said and done! Now the burden was lighter. He thought, "How good that I have sawn part of it off! Now my journey will be comfortable and easy, And I will reach my destination more quickly." Soon he saw the City already standing before him. What a wonderful sight it was to behold! Only a ditch stood between him and the City, But it had no bridge. He ran along it and searched and pondered, But nowhere could he find a bridge. Then he thought of the cross on his back. Perhaps he could use the cross as a bridge. He took it and tried to place it across the ditch But it was too short, it wouldn't reach; The part was lacking that had been sawn away. "If only I had not!" he sighed in deep distress, "Now I as standing here so near to my goal And I cannot go there because I didn't like my cross!" He wept and cried, and he blamed himself; It was his fault that he couldn't get to the City. Along came a pilgrim who also carried a cross, But his was not partly sawn off. He came to the ditch and, laying his cross over it Went on with gladness toward the City. Then the pilgrim thought, "I must see If I can walk over this cross to get to the City." He stepped on it, but oh! it cracked... With a cry he woke up. He found himself in the room - he was still there. "My God, with all my heart I thank you! It was only a dream, though the fear and agony I would never want to experience again. I now see my cross as given by God And will certainly never cut part of it off. It must be as the Father has made it, And though my way goes through affliction and night I will endure quietly, carry cross and sorrow. It is really my bridge to splendour!" And you who also carry a cross And also would like to saw part of it off, Don't do it, for it is a gift from God, Or you will saw your blessing off.

I couldn't help thinking of 2 Cor. 4:17: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."