Ron was hoping to see ranches, but Texas is a BIG state and there weren’t very many ranches this far north, in the panhandle. We did see a few, and I was fascinated with their old windmills.. catching pics of all I could see along the road.
I suppose Ron and I weren’t typical Route 66 travelers. We didn’t seek out attractions that drew others in. Instead, we were looking for the original sites of the day – back in the day – the 30’s -50’s especially. But as we continued east in Texas, I said, “Let’s look for the huge cross along the highway in Groom, Texas.”
The “Groom Cross,” as it’s called, is far from an original site along the Mother Road. Instead it was constructed in 1995 – hardly nostalgic and certainly not a site the Joads would have come upon in Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, nor one Buz Murdock and Tod Stiles would have stopped at in the TV series of the early 60’s. Yet we were drawn to it, probably because we are Christians and love to see a cross – especially one of this magnitude. The Groom Cross stands 190 feet high. A person can see it from miles away!
We saw it ahead. I just wanted to photograph it like I had the windmills, but Ron wanted to stop – he really wanted to stop. So, of course, we did.
What we discovered at this site was more than an “attraction” along the route. We discovered a place of sanctuary and an enveloping of the Holy Spirit.
One man’s vision, years ago, was that people who pass this route would see the cross and think of Jesus, who “died for all people and for our sins.” Some would stop and visit as we had. But all would see it and think about the cross – about Jesus. The full purpose and story can be found on the website: Cross Ministries.
It was another hot day when we stepped out of the truck. And windy! My word it was windy. We found ourselves at the first of many Stations that circles this massive structure.
Pontius Pilate called for water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, declaring, “I am innocent of the blood of this just man.” (Matthew 27:24)
I don’t know how God judges Pilate, but for some reason, I’ve never considered him innocent of the blood of Jesus. Did he fear the crowd? Did he not want to be involved? And considering Pilate always makes me think about myself. What do I do today when faced with making a decision – for or against Jesus.
We hadn’t even reached the Third Station before we were in tears. We read the bronze plaque:
“. . . There was no one to lend support.”
And looked upon our Lord:
Oh how He suffered for us. And this was after the whipping post – and the crucifixion was yet to come.
God had drawn us here. He had used Ron to draw me here. The Holy Spirit was stirring my heart.
The stations continued, the Crucifixion displayed. (See the link at the bottom showing all the stations.) When we reached the cross, we knelt and prayed, thanking God for giving His Son, and here we prayed for our three grown grandsons and their wives.
The empty tomb revealed! Our Lord Jesus, Victorious, seated at the Right Hand of God. All is right. The work is finished. God is in control.
But all is not right in the hearts of all people. We must not wash our hands of them. We must not turn the other way. We must strive to follow God’s will (and command) in drawing them to Jesus.
We stopped at Michael the Archangel, 
… and prayed, asking God to send Michael to fight the enemy and to work miracles in our grandson’s life.
And then we went into the courtyard and sat in prayer and contemplation.
It was at this beautiful site I prayed for our youngest granddaughter, Amber, thanking God for her and lifting my requests for Amber to Him, as I had prayed for each of our children at significant sites on this venture.
As we left, we viewed The Lord’s Supper, The Last Supper, which was beautifully depicted. We were reminded to partake often, remembering the body and blood Christ Jesus has given – for us – for you, too, my friend reading this.
Don’t let the world cause you to wash your hands of Jesus,
the noise of the crowds keep you from listening to Him calling you to Himself,
or the busyness distract you from pausing to remember Him.
Before we left the site of the Cross, Ron pulled the truck and travel trailer up for a photo under the cross. This is where we want to stay – under the Cross.
After I took the pic, the wind whipped across the gravel drive between the parking area and a cotton field. Not just dust, but dirt covered me. Yes, this was Texas! And now we moved on, heading into Oklahoma – on Route 66.
Look for the next post, “Sodas, Sunsets, and St. Louis,” Route 66, Chapter 6
Click here to link to the Stations at the Groom Cross.
Have you read Chapters 1-4 of Route 66?
That was a great place for you to stop, and reflect.
I also am happy to see the rest areas out there that incorporate a tornado shelter. I was impressed the first time I saw any of those.