"Well, here I am Lord; You said, ‘Take up your cross,’ and I'm here to do it. It’s not easy you know, this self-denial thing. I mean to go through with it though, yes, Sir. I’ll bet You wish more people were willing to be disciples like me. I’ve counted the cost and surrendered my life and...it is not an easy road...

"You mind if I look over these crosses? I’d kind of like a new one. I’m not fussy, you understand, but a disciple has to be relevant these days. I was wondering...are there any that are vinyl padded? I’m thinking of attracting others, you see. And if I could show them a comfortable cross, I’m sure I could win a lot more. Got to keep up with the population explosion and all. And I need something durable so I can treasure it always. Oh, is there one that is sort of flat so it would fit under my coat? One should not be so obvious.

"Funny, there doesn’t seem to be much choice here. Just that coarse, rough wood. I mean that would hurt! Don’t you have something more distinctive, Lord? I can tell you right now, none of my friends are going to be impressed by this shoddy workmanship! They’ll think I’m a nut or something! And my family will be mortified!

"What’s that? It is either one of these or forget the whole thing? But, Lord, I want to be your disciple! I mean, just being with you, that is all that counts, but life has to have a balance, too. . . . But you don’t understand; nobody lives that way today! Who is going to be attracted by this self-denial bit? I mean, I want to, but let’s not overdo it! Start getting radical like this, they’ll have me off to the funny farm—know what I mean?

"I mean, being a disciple is challenging and exciting, and I want to do it, but I have some right, you know! Now let’s see. No blood, O.K.? I just can’t

stand the thought of that, Lord....Lord?

"Now where do you suppose He went?"

Author Unknown