SALADO, Texas (KWTX) – One Central Texan is putting faith into action this Easter \u2014 one handmade cross at a time.<\/p>\n
In his workshop, Aaron Rodeffer measures, saws and hammers pieces of wood into simple crosses. Then, he places them in his front yard with a sign that reads: \u201cFree crosses. Happy Easter.\u201d Anyone passing by is welcome to take one.<\/p>\n
Rodeffer started the tradition in 2020 while working on other projects in his shop.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was almost like I got a little nudge on the shoulder, God speaking to me,\u201d Rodeffer said. \u201cHe says, \u2018Why don\u2019t you make some crosses?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
That first year, he made 50. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey just started disappearing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
One moment from that first Easter stuck with him: A family with two small children stopped to pick out a cross. Rodeffer said the little girl found the one she wanted, and her brother agreed. Then she hugged it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just made a huge impression on me,\u201d he said. \u201cI said, \u2018OK, I\u2019m locked in. I\u2019m going to do this for every year that I\u2019m able.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Seven years later, Rodeffer estimates he has made about 500 crosses \u2014 and he says the meaning behind the work has only grown.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the opportunity to bless people with a representation of what Easter truly means just kind of gets to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Neighbors now look forward to seeing the crosses each year. When News 10 visited just four days after Rodeffer lined his lawn, only one cross remained.<\/p>\n
For Rodeffer, the project is about more than springtime traditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cEaster to me is so much more than chocolate, Easter bunnies and Easter egg hunts,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a time to really recognize the sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n
What starts as a simple piece of wood becomes something more \u2014 a symbol of faith, freely shared with the community.<\/p>\n
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