My husband and I shifted to Mysore from Chennai in February leaving behind a very hectic lifestyle, opting for a more peaceful and quiet life. Mysore, the second largest city in Karnataka , though in the growth mode still has a long way to go before it becomes a metro.

We had prayed hard about the move and felt that God was with us. Friends and colleagues advised against the move, but we decided to go ahead. We thought we had done our homework right but on arrival found that many things were not quite what was expected.

The first challenge was to find a place to worship. We found that in most of churches in Mysore the service was conducted in the local language. Finally, we discovered one church which followed the Church of South India order of service in English. The familiar songs and prayers acted as a balm to our hearts and minds which were already missing the great worship at the Chennai Vineyard.

We missed the warmth of friends and the fellowship we had in Chennai. Above all, we missed the healing prayers. I felt and continue to feel that I have been abandoned on some island where I can no communication with like minded people.

Feeling rather blue, one eventide I sat by myself on the first floor of our home looking at the city lights coming on in a distance. In the gentle quiet of the evening, I saw the cross on the small Catholic church near my home.

It was not a work of art but a simple cross made of cement lit by the sodium vapour of the street light. As I sat looking at the cross, I felt a calm seep though my being and a soothing warmth in my heart. For the first time, I experienced the great comfort that the cross has brought to millions down the centuries.

The words of George Bernard's song came to my mind,

On a hill far away stood an Old Rugged Cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

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