Out of the Dust: "Long Time Traveler"

In the last few weeks my family gathered for celebrations and traditions, we enjoyed an incredible long-planned vacation, dealt with worry around needs of family/friends, wrestled with feelings and realities around the political landscape, enjoyed the snow and days off from school, and reeled from the death of the oldest son (16) of close friends.

It’s a lot.

I wonder what the last season of your life has looked like?

My guess? It’s had some ups and downs.

It’s the nature of journeys. I bet all of us would name ourselves “long time travelers.” We’ve been on the road and aware of our own stories long enough to expect valleys along the way. And yet --- even as we know to expect them --- we often find ourselves unprepared.

My oldest daughter has a complex set of heart conditions called Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia. She’s 16 and has experienced 11 heart surgeries in her lifetime. Many times people have said to me, “I don’t know how you do it. I couldn’t handle it if my kid…” as if I have some kind of special preparation or training to be the parent of a child with profound medical needs.

I don’t. I’m not prepared – never was. But at this point, I am a long time traveler. She is too. The road from there to here has made us weary, and unbelievably strong. It has exhausted and taken so much from us, and also been the source of life. Isn’t that the tension we’ve all come to know in this life? The way holds beauty, mystery, pain, loss, and hope – and none are isolated experiences. We’ve found our way through because we haven’t been alone. We have recognized God with us in the community that has chosen to be present in countless ways over the years – and it has made the journey bearable.

The repetition of the phrase “I’m a long time travelling here below” always struck me in the Wailin’ Jenny’s song. I’m an unashamed bluegrass fan and that high and lonesome sound echoes through this song as voices blend and fill the space with both purpose – and melancholy. The voice of the song is seeking a home where rest can be found. There’s an attachment to the journey of this life – but an awareness that it is but part of a larger story.

There’s a line in the song, “Farewell kind friends whose tender care has long engaged my love. Your fond embrace I now exchange for better friends above.” I don’t know that I love the reference to “better” friends above – but I do really appreciate the clear knowledge that relationship is part of the journey here and there.

I think that’s what I’m holding close this Lent. We are formed by a triune God who values relationship – creates from it. We are called into relationship in community as long time travelers in this life – and we will one day be gathered to our people in a place we recognize as home.

When Jacob dies (Genesis 49:33) there is a line that always strikes me. In fact, I share it in every funeral I preach. It says, “When Jacob ended his charge to his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.” Other translations say that he was gathered “unto” his people or even “joined his ancestors in death.” There are plenty of other similar phrases in scripture. It’s clear that community is not just something we experience on this part of the way. We will one day be gathered to our people already there.

Lent is a season of awareness. It’s a time when we are given permission to reflect thoughtfully and consider our position as travelers. Is there some realignment that would be life-giving, that would help us love God and others well? Are we recognizing that we are together along the way – both with God and the larger family of God’s creation? Do we remember that we are creatures, not Creator – formed by the creative breath of a God who walks with us and prepares a place ahead for us?

My prayer is that as we continue through this season – and all that we are experiencing as individuals and community – we will do it together. We will hold one another in the pain, motivate one another to action when it’s time to “go,” cheer one another on in the good news, and keep the journey in mind when it feels like there’s nowhere else to go. There is. And the next faithful step is best taken together. Long time travelers.