I can feel the winter chill nipping at my rosy cheeks as I amble down the drive. Sentinels wearing their leaves in crimson reds, dashing golds, and warm oranges provide a leafy canopy while a playful breeze scatters fallen leaves sending them swirling around my feet. I am joined by another, He is bundled against the cold though I have a feeling He wouldn't be bothered either way, a rather average looking fellow. As I glance at Him something leads me to believe He is about as far from average as you can get.

As we trudge along side by side our breath puffing out in small white clouds I glance sideways to get a closer look at Him. He is slightly taller than me with broad shoulders and regal bearing. His hands belong those that know of hard work and do not fear it though they bear unusual scars almost as if something at one point pierced right through them. He is young, barely reaching his mid-thirties and yet He seems to also be ageless. His eyes, those are what draw you in and pierce your very soul. He looks not through your or at you but into you, the very heart of you. Such sorrow is contained in their depths as if He alone carries the weight of all our burdens and pains.

Tears come unbidden to my eyes as I realize just who this man I walk beside is. This is the man who knows what it is like to be truly hated and scorned. Ridiculed by those whom He thought to be friends and peers and even betrayed by His own brethren. This is a man who has been beaten for what He believes in and yet He held true to His faith. He carried the very cross His hands and feet where nailed to. Put amongst thieves and bandits with a crown of thorns to grace His bloody brow.

This is the man who died so I might be able to walk beside Him and enjoy this beautiful day in His presence. Thank you Jesus for all you have sacrificed and done so I might live and walk by Your side admiring what the Father has created.