Power Of The Cross by Ricardo Sanchez
There are certain events
and people who cross our paths and leave an impression so deep it resonates
throughout our lifetime. I'll never forget one such lady who showed up at my
office unexpectedly one morning, leaving a mark that birthed the inspiration
for the title song, "Power of the Cross".
Serving as a staff
pastor at my church, part of my role was to minister as the "Pastor on
Call" or the "POC" a few days a month. And that is how Gloria
crossed my path. Gloria showed up unexpectedly one morning and after the normal
pastoral protocol and greetings, I simply asked what I could do to help her.
Gloria responded with a brutally honest answer that left me speechless.
"Ricardo...I've been going to this church for seven months and I didn't
want to come back because of YOU." Stunned, I prodded our conversation to
see if there was something I had done to offend this woman whom I had never
met. Again, I was left speechless by her response. "Nothing you have DONE
has offended me, but simply who you ARE offends me." The confusion on my
face must have communicated more loudly than my words because Gloria began to
weep and communicate simultaneously as she was pushing out years of pain and
unresolved issues through her tears. Gloria said, "Ricardo, my husband and
I moved here 9 months ago. We were trying to find a good church where the Word
and the worship could minister to our family. We felt the presence of God at
this church, BUT..." Gloria trailed off in tears as she paused to finish
her sentence. "I found out you were a second generation Mexican and I
freaked out because my parents were deep into the Klu-Klux-Klan and I was
raised to DESPISE people like you."
I wasn't sure how to
respond to Gloria, but asked the first question I could think of... "Why
are you meeting with me TODAY?" I asked. Gloria said, "Yesterday, you
sang the song, "At the Cross," and you began to sing the
chorus." She softly began to sing..."At the cross, at the cross,
where I first saw the light. And the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was
there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the days!"
When Gloria finished her
solo the room was silent. She looked at me and said, "Ricardo, I have
three children and I don't want them to HATE the way I was raised to
HATE." For the next 45-minutes Gloria sat in my office and laughed and
cried and found healing from years of bondage and prejudice. Upon leaving, she
said, "Ricardo, one last question. When I asked how I could meet with you
today, your assistant told me it was your "POC Day". What does that
mean?" I explained to Gloria that the acronym stood for "Pastor on
Call" and was a responsibility shared by those on staff. Gloria smiled
said, "For me...it stands for Power of the Cross because that is the
source of my healing."
Gloria left my office
and I sat in silence mulling over the only true source of Power for us
all...THE CROSS.
If you like the song above - please take a few moments to experience the song below:
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