Sunday, July 8, 2012

Starting Over: Deborah Jean's Pilgrimage

In her book ALL THE WAY TO HEAVEN, Elizabeth Sherrill looks at life as a pilgrimage.  Before reading that book, I'd thought of it more as a picture to be painted over the years.  I think this is a valid analogy, too; but found that the pilgrimage idea appealed to me more.   When I began to think of writing a blog, I saw it as being about my journey--its valleys, rivers and mountains; its straight and crooked roads; its sunny, dark and rainy days; the people I travel with.  Most of all, it would be about following our Guide.  In the words of a very old song, "...the path of that lone Galilean with joy I will follow today; and the toils of the road will seem nothing, when I get to the end of the way."  Not that I've been hankering to get to the end of the way any time soon; my journey thus far (83 years) has had its sorrows and losses, but these have been far outweighed by the blessing--and, yes, just plain fun--of walking with the Lord and with the fantastic crew of fellow-travelers He's given me in the way of family and friends!

I've titled this present blog chapter "Starting Over: Deborah Jean's Pilgrimage" because in resuming this writing after a hiatus of some months, I managed to lose my original introductory piece somewhere in the mysterious realm of cyberspace. (I presume things like this are to be expected when one who has spent her life as a mechanical moron tries to get technological in advanced old age!)  I've learned in the process of "Googling around" in pursuit of myself (so to speak) that there is another Deborah Lapp (my pen name), and she seems to be on a pilgrimage as well--surprising since I didn't think this combination would be that usual!  And so I've given Deborah Lapp a middle name.  As I explained previously (in the lost piece), a workshop I took as a freelance writer included choosing a pen name.  Mine is taken from  Deborah the judge in Israel, whom I admire, and her husband Lapidoth, who I believe did some kind of work in the temple.  Actually, this may all be somewhat unnecessary, since all the folks I know of who read my blog (not many, to be sure)  know who I am, anyway.  But it seems most bloggers do use pseudonyms...enough of that for now.

When I determined to go back to blogging, I had a particular subject I wanted to mull around in my mind, but it will have to wait till tomorrow or the next day now, for I want to pursue this topic of following that Man of Galilee.  I had a conversation with my youngest granddaughter this afternoon in which we discussed an important decision she will have to make soon involving her senior college year, her finances, and her future marriage plans with her "intended," who was here during the last of our discussion. This is a totally great young Christian couple, beautifully supportive of each other and united in their very firm faith.  But when I questioned her as to whether she'd asked God to show her what He would have her do about this one decision, she said an honest "No," as if she hadn't thought of that.  When she asks Him, it will be clear, I'm very sure.  Sometimes we forget just to come right out and ask Him and expect an answer.  This pilgrimage is a walk of faith, and He promised that His Spirit would guide us into "ALL TRUTH. "My mom used to quote a poem about following on when we can't see ahead.  I can't remember it all, but it ends, "So on I go, not knowing; I would not, if I might; I'd rather walk with Him in the dark than go alone by sight."  Yes, He'll show the little girl what to do.       

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