headin’ home…

“… And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.” {Hebrews 11:13-14}.


People who say such things.

When was the last time you said such a thing… made an admission regarding your tenure upon this earth? I suppose we all say it from time to time; if not with words, then with our thinking… maybe even with our actions. On every occasion when we encounter the pull between the temporal ramifications of our flesh and the eternal, hidden pulse within, credibility is given to this faith-filled yearning. We don’t live very long in our skin before feeling the effects of such an understanding. We may not know what to call it—this ache that resides so very close to our hearts—but we cannot deny its existence. We simply feel it as it happens. Some of us receive it as a gift from God; others retreat from its witness in hopes of abating the inevitable—a final moment of final witness with some final answers regarding a final finish. Some of us would rather wait for then, but not me.

I want to be a person who says such things now; not then. Now is when faith happens; not when God reveals himself in final splendor. Faith doesn’t grow in that finishing moment when God is clearly obvious. Faith grows now, when God’s pulse within us quickens with ours and we can no longer keep our silence regarding such things.

I had a such things kind of moment today. I said something this morning during my prayer time that seems to echo the refrain of my spiritual ancestors from Hebrews 11. They may have said it better than me; I fully imagine that they lived it better, but all of our hearts, whether then or now, anchor with the same God. Thus, a few similar words from a similarly captivated heart.

I want to be a better pilgrim, Lord.

It’s a good prayer to pray… an honest prayer of confession. As of late, I’ve been tightly focused on my agenda to the neglect of God’s bigger picture. None of the details that have garnered my attention are unnecessary or unimportant. They are a requirement of the journey that I’m traveling. But because of it all—the packing, the phone calls, the address changes, the good-byes—it’s sometimes easy to miss the pull of heaven. Sometimes the “necessary” gets in the way of my pilgrim focus, and if not carefully guarded, becomes the cloud that blocks my view of home.

I’ve been missing home in recent days. Not this one; in just over a week, I’ll have a new roof over my head and a new life to get to know. No, when I speak about missing home, it’s not this one that I’m pining over. I miss the view of the home that’s coming—the one that’s free of the flesh and full of the Spirit of God. My attachments here have made me weary and have brought me to my knees and my tears and my wondering about their worthiness as it pertains to my pilgrim status.

True pilgrims of God don’t get bogged down in the particulars. Instead, true pilgrims keep their focus. Keep looking ahead. Keep pressing through the “necessary” without ever losing sight of the “next.” True pilgrims share a few common traits. Traits like…

Dreams. Determination. Discipline. Devotion.

Dreams to start the journey.
Determination to make the journey.
Discipline to stay the journey.
Devotion to finish the journey.

Short change any one of these steps, and homeward focus can easily be replaced by temporal visioning.

Long ago and faraway, I had my first dream about home. Today, I am determined more than then to get there. I pray for the discipline to take me there, and above all else, for an unbridled devotion to the Lover of my soul that will land me safely on his front porch where he will carry me through the portal of my forever.

I want to be a better pilgrim. I want to a woman who says such things… who lives such things all the more. I am an alien and a stranger on this earth, in search of a country to call my own. It belonged to God first, and because of his Son, Jesus Christ, it belongs to me now. I cannot see it in this moment, but I can dream it. Tonight, it matters not the roof that serves as my shelter, nor the address that claims me as resident. My temporal cannot replace dreams eternal. It will try, but at the end of the day, the ache that resides deep within me cannot be denied. It must be addressed. It must be remembered. It must be given the honor that it is due.

Home really is where the heart is, and tonight my heart is with Jesus.

People who say such things.

May we all be found saying such things this week. As always…

Peace for the journey,

PS: In honor of the road ahead (my two older boys heading to Bolivia on Wednesday and our impending move in eight days) I’ll be missing from blogland for awhile. I imagine I’ll be checking in with you from time to time, but my pen will be taking a much needed break. My heart? Well, it never takes a break, so there will be more to come down the road. In the meantime, keep looking toward the horizon and keep thinking about home. Our God is so worthy of and honored by our thoughts. We covet your prayers. Shalom.

Copyright © June 2010 – Elaine Olsen

37 Responses to headin’ home…

  1. Beautiful Elaine as always. Hope things went well for you today. We were at the beach but thought about you often. I just cannot begin to tell you how much I will miss you! I have thoroughly enjoyed and value our friendship. May you indeed have Peace for your Journey. Love you my friend!

  2. "I want to be a better pilgrim."

    I like that, Elaine! I never thought of myself as a pilgrim before, but it's exactly how I should consider myself…feeling a little homesick, now. 🙂

    Praying for you, Billy, and the family in the days ahead. Lifting up special prayers for Nick and Colton.

    Love you…

  3. Like a breath of fresh air, this post falls on my heart tonight. Beautifully written. Trust fully in my thoughts, but more importantly my prayers for you over the next several days. I know your heart will be savoring the time with Nick & Colton before they go, and the last few days with the rest of your family in your current home. Excited about what adventures await all of you in your new home and church. I love you, dearly.

  4. A beautiful reminder that this life is not what it's all about. Praying for you as you begin the next chapter in your journey.

  5. pilgrim is my life word. 🙂 can't seem to get away from it even if I'd wanted to…

    but I don't. I can't wait to get to that city…

    amy in peru

  6. safe travels and an uneventful move
    will be my prayer for you.

    and blessings on your new home until
    you arrive at your final one. 🙂

  7. May your move be blessed and smooth! and may the Prince of Peace go before you on this new road!! Can't wait to hear from you again soon!

  8. Elaine, I long for my real home. There are days when I wish I could be there now but I know that my time isn't up yet. There's more work to be done here first.

    You have many changes going on. I will be praying for you Elaine.

    Hugs,
    Debbie

  9. Your message here sang the words my heart feels. This world is not my home…as the song says, "I'm only passing through"… What a glorious hope we have—and share with all who will listen!

    The good thing about moving…is the blog-home rarely does…I know I can always find you here! Have a good break and safe trip for your boys!

  10. All the best, Elaine as you make your move. Sounds like a job for a pilgrim…

  11. I will miss you Elaine! I'll also be praying for your boys and your move! This post moved me to tears… I want to be a better pilgrim too… I want to say such things!! I feel homesick too. Thank you for sharing this! You always have the words to bless me…

  12. Journey on my pilgrim friend! Will be praying for your coming steps – new things are ahead – may you see the grace in the smallest of details.

    Shalom,
    Denise

  13. Praying for you this week Elaine…

    "Faith doesn’t grow in that finishing moment when God is clearly obvious. Faith grows now, when God’s pulse within us quickens with ours and we can no longer keep our silence regarding such things." I love that!

    Hugs!

    P.S… my book is on the way, can't wait!

  14. Sometimes our "Martha" flexes more than our "Mary" – but the pull of heaven always brings us pilgrims back to center! I will be praying for you and your family… As your boys travel on their mission trip and as you and the rest of the gang push toward your new mission field! I for one cannot wait to see what the Lord does next in your life!
    Love you!
    K

  15. I know if I were in your shoes I would be stressed to the max! However….since I'm here and you're there….I'm just super excited to see what kind of blessing God has in store for you "down the road" in your new home! My earthly home has been in a state of uproar lately as we have tackled some much needed and long overdue repairs….inside and out. I will be SO glad to get things back to some sort of "normal".

    Hope you have a great week with many "handfuls of purpose" strewn along the pathway!

    Love you sister!

    Marilyn…in Mississippi

  16. I've been wondering about you and where you are moving to!!!!

    Let me know how the move and all that goes with it is going!!!! also – I've got a CRAZY question……someone told me that the ds's in NC Conference are given cars…..true? or no?

    I'm thinking no but just wanna check before I tell them that their info is wrong….=)

  17. Praying, dear Elaine.

    LOVED this post – I so want to be a better pilgrim. SO easy to get caught up in here and forget about where we are going. Blessings, my dear!

  18. The older I get, the more I long for HOME! Some days on this earth make one long for heaven more than others. Of course there are many days when I am content to journey right here, but for the most part, my heart longs for heaven and Jesus.

    leah

  19. My soul has been fed through your words yet again…

    Praying for you and your family as the journey continues…

  20. Elaine,

    Your post is a culmination of my posting today…and almost four other posts I have read today. THE NOW…which will determine our next. My heart is FULL…and yes, I know what your hands are up to and your heart as well…because, I am experiencing the same from my end.

    Stay blessed…as we journey home. Till we meet….

    Gladwell

  21. I want to be a better pilgrim too….
    “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” (Psalm 73:26).

    Praying for your move!!

    Believing Him~Pamela

  22. Oh Elaine, my heart is singing the same tune. Me too, my sister. I didn't know you were moving, but I will pray for you. Love you, sis.

  23. Hi Elaine. What a beautiful post. I too want to be a better pilgrim.

    The picture in your post is truly beautiful. You will be dearly missed in blogland. But we all know that rest is necessary.

    Bless you sweet sister.

  24. First of all I LOVE THE PICTURE of you and your blessings. CUTE!!!

    Second… I NEEDED TO READ THIS TODAY. THANKS!!!

    Third…praying as you enter a new chapter in this world.

  25. Amen! Count me in as one who says such things. I am longing for HOME.
    My heart is there. Soon the rest of me will follow. Very soon, I hope.

  26. beautiful post as always. I will be praying for all of you as make a new step in your journey. God will be with you all the way.

  27. As soon as I saw the picture, tears came to my eyes.It is so lovely and depicts exactly what your words say.
    I know you are getting ready for this new journey in a few days.I have been praying for you and thinking about you a lot.
    Can't wait to hear all about it!
    So it isn't Florida, huh? Oh well, maybe the next time!LOL

  28. Bless you as you move Mrs. Elaine:) This post reminds me that we live by faith:)

    ((HUGS)) to you,

    katiegfromtennessee

  29. Elaine……your writing is so powerful! It seems to often express what resides in my heart, but I have no idea how to get it out…you are a blessing!

    May the Lord bless you and your full life!

    ~Kathy

  30. Hi Elaine,

    I, too, want to be a better pilgrim.

    Sounds like you're juggling a lot right now. May God grant you rest and refresh you on your break. May He protect and bless your entire moving process and your kids as they go.

    Blessings1

  31. A beautiful post. I long for our heavenly home, but have so many yet that do not know the Lord so I must continue to work the fields until His return.

  32. As a pilgrim, I am daily endeavoring to keep my focus while God leads me on this journey Home. Thank you for your beautiful post.

    Living for Him, Joan

  33. Elaine:

    The Father is giving you this time of REST – REFRESHEMENT – and RESTORATION – even in the midst of your move. He is drawing you more and more to that intimate place with Him that your heart so longs for!

    Thank you for wearing your heart on your sleeve. I am still receiving so much from every single chapter of your book as God uses each page to draw me close and show me what He's doing right now in my life!

    My chin is still on the floor! I loved our phone conversation a few short days ago and hope that we can do that again – after your move is over!!

    Choosing JOY in SOLITUDE,
    Stephanie

  34. I am with you in spirit. I do long for my real home. It is not of this earth.

    Prayers for you as you move.

    Love,

    Andrea

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