The Clear Cross

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader:

I thought for quite awhile about what I would take to leave at St. Jude’s Chapel of Hope … a memento to thank the chapel for being the miraculous catalyst that changed my life from that first visit eleven years ago.

I found it when the grandchildren Sunday started going through drawers and boxes in my house … always looking for treasures.

Their favorite box is the Winnie the Pooh box that Jo and Colby gave me a couple of years ago.

After they left I was putting the lid back on and there was the glass cross! It symbolized how clear my mission in life was-writing the blog post-after my first visit to the chapel in July of 2010.

Normally when I think of the cross I conjure up images of the ” Old rugged cross” or a wooden cross but a clear cross leads us to finally be able to ” see” through the miracle of sacrifice-a sacrifice that allows each of us to discover our own treasures to share with each other.

In this creative church structure in southern Indiana clear glass paneling is found at the top of geometrically designed stained glass panels. The symbolism is ” clear.”

Visitors and worshippers remain aware of a constantly changing world outside, while being surrounded by unchanging symbols of faith inside.

So under tomorrow… just know that Honey and I are exploring and discovering new secrets inside my chapel that will be shared upon my return.

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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6 Responses to The Clear Cross

  1. Sis Kinney says:
    September 21, 2021 at 7:59 am

    Good Tuesday (9-21-2021) morning, Becky,
    You probably won’t see this until you return to SC, but it’s rainy and foggy up here in Linville. I hope the weather down in Trust is clearer for you and Honey. You’ll be just under an hour away from here, and the weather just might be better there!
    I “trust” you and Honey will have a wonderfully memorable visit to your beloved Chapel of Hope! Stay safe and looking forward to hearing all about it! I love the cross you’re going to leave there! Perfect gift for the gift that was given to you by the Chapel.
    Much love to you both!
    Sis

    Reply
  2. Mary Fennemore says:
    September 21, 2021 at 8:34 am

    I have a cross just like that! Can’t wait to hear what “treasures” you bring back from the Chapel.

    Reply
  3. Rachel Edwards says:
    September 21, 2021 at 11:37 am

    I can’t wait to hear about your visit to Trust….know it will be a meaningful and spiritually uplifting visit.

    Reply

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