They threw their lanyards on my desk. Safe-keeping I suppose. Mom tucking away treasures for later retrieval, a time when things will be remembered. Events remembered. This remembrance.
Pilgrims on pilgrimage.
In thinking about this milestone in their journeys of faith, I think on my own. Those seasons of youth retreats, conference gatherings, and mountaintop moments of kingdom clarification. And while my mother didn’t pack away any “lanyards” of remembrance for me in those earlier seasons, my heart still remembers what it was like to be a young pilgrim on pilgrimage.
Now I am an older pilgrim on pilgrimage. The destination has not changed since the days of my youth, but the route to that destination? Well, it’s not what I had imagined all those many years ago when I first put my heart and my hands to the grace plow. There have been a few detours along the way. Still and yet and to this day, God’s road is before me, pebbles of the gospel truth cradling my scarred feet.
Faith walks on despite missed exits and alternate routes. Sometimes faith rides the high winds of glory. Sometimes faith wallows desperately in the shallows. And sometimes … most times, faith simply walks on. Walks forward. Walks through.
Perhaps I’ll pin these words, this truth to their lanyards so that years from now, when they pull them out of their remembrance boxes (and after life has afforded them each a few detours along the path of grace), they’ll better understand what it is to be a pilgrim on pilgrimage. That their mother at forty-seven was still walking on in faith despite missed exits, despite everything that threatened to stymie her pilgrimage home. Perhaps they’ll need to know that then even more than they need to know it now.
Oh the great consistency of faith that grabs hold of a heart and never lets go!
Oh the certain grip of mercy that keeps hearts upright and willing to believe in the destination even though current scenery is blocking the view!
Oh the limitless love of Jesus that never grows weary of the grace-chase and that never runs out for or away from sinners!
This is what has kept me. This is Who has kept me. What more can I do? Who more can I be?
I am a pilgrim on pilgrimage, just like my children. Faith has brought us thus far. Faith will lead us home. Every last one of us. Billy. Elaine. Nick. Colton. Jadon. Amelia.
Yes, I’ll pin this proclamation to their lanyards so that in the future when their children ask them, “What do these words mean?” they’ll be able to tell them the truth about a woman named Faith Elaine who walked on in faith, despite missed exits and alternate routes … all the way through, home to arms of Jesus.
This is good legacy. This is the best I can give. May God keep and preserve this remembrance in their hearts as they make their pilgrimages of faith. Walk on, sweet ones. Walk always with Jesus.
Peace for the journey,
Oh, friend, I love this post. A much-needed reminder and encouragement for us all. I’ll be holding on to this proclamation as well:
“Faith walks on despite missed exits and alternate routes. Sometimes faith rides the high winds of glory. Sometimes faith wallows desperately in the shallows. And sometimes … most times, faith simply walks on. Walks forward. Walks through…
…Oh the great consistency of faith that grabs hold of a heart and never lets go!
Oh the certain grip of mercy that keeps hearts upright and willing to believe in the destination even though current scenery is blocking the view!
Oh the limitless love of Jesus that never grows weary of the grace-chase and that never runs out for or away from sinners!
This is what has kept me. This is Who has kept me. What more can I do? Who more can I be?”
Such wisdom, grace, and faith…you are, indeed, establishing a wonderful legacy for your children. I have no doubt those spiritual seeds, which you have so lovingly planted, will reap a bountiful harvest in each of them!
Love you dearly…
“Faith will lead us home”, “home to the arms of Jesus” — so true and tender for me right now. A great legacy and a great hope and comfort as well. Blessings, my friend.
Faith will lead me home….oh, how thankful I am that God never gave up on me. In my most sinful of days, when my sin was at it’s pinnacle, God never gave up on me. Faith definitely will lead me home. Beautiful thoughts, Elaine. Much love.
Yes! Definitely! Pin those words to their lanyards!
And write them firmly on your own heart!
They are Truth.
What a beautiful post – I enjoyed it thoroughly, Elaine. Yes, a pilgrimage. Some steps are easy, some are treacherous and slow. But onward and upward I wish to go. And by the grace of God, I will one day see Him face-to-face. I pray that He will enable me to leave a legacy of faith behind me…
GOD BLESS!
wifeforthejourney:
It is good to make yet another connection with our children as they grow up. It is indeed not just another milestone in their own walk of faith, it IS a great opportunity for us to look back on our own milestones. Of course there will be wrong turns, accidents and wrecks along the way for Jadon and Amelia – but I still can’t help but think that they are in such a good place right now. I love seeing them challenged to grow in their faith, invited and encouraged to grow, fed, loved and nurtured in the gospel.
Thanks for being there not only to help point them in the way they should go, but also to record and celebrate their history with the Lord!
Love you,
Billy
What a timely beautiful post this is, Elaine. I love those lanyards… with the word pilgrimage on them. Where did your children get them? Speaks so much of what is on my heart… these words:
“Faith walks on despite missed exits and alternate routes. Sometimes faith rides the high winds of glory. Sometimes faith wallows desperately in the shallows. And sometimes … most times, faith simply walks on. Walks forward. Walks through.”
It is obvious that our hearts beat and burn for the same things Elaine.
The closer we get to the top, the more steep the road becomes. Really, I can hardly wait to reach home.
Much love
Lidia
Hi Sweet Friend,
Thank you for sharing with us yet again, such precious words of truth.
I particularly love the following:
“Oh the limitless love of Jesus that never grows weary of the grace-chase and that never runs out for or away from sinners!”
Right now I’m praying fervently that one of my children comes back to the LORD that has always loved him. Trusting in that eternal, all-sufficient love for my child.
Blessings to you and yours~
Jess