Pages

06 October 2010

Two Pilgrims

The world is heavy, and we pilgrims are cold and tired tonight. But we keep walking, because what is a pilgrim but one who puts foot in front of foot even when those feet ache and we're far from home.

So we shuffle forward, not even seeing the world around us because we're focused on the ruts and the dust and wondering how we'll ever wash the dirt off our feet.

Step after step on this dark and weary night, with little hope of reaching hot food, warm fire, and soft bed. Those aren't the tools of our trade, as they say. They aren't things we much hope for anymore.

We have a secret, you and I, one that's been lost in this shuffle of days and feet. If we bring it to mind, now and then, the bringing is not our own but something that is done to us, something that swoops in and captures our thoughts for a moment.

And then it flits away, like the white moths we paused to watch by the river that day, the ones that darted around us so long, we wondered if they'd been sent. Messengers of a sort, to remind us that we are all beautiful and we are all frail.

Tonight, somewhere amidst the shuffling and the longing, we remember again. I can tell you see it, too, because you're looking at me when I remember it, and not at your feet.

The meeting of eyes is enough. Words might take too much effort and we could run out of energy and stop where we stand simply because we cannot continue any longer. It is enough that we remembered for a moment: this world is not the end.


SDG.




Linking with Emily, a fellow walker on this pilgrim-path.

16 comments:

TALON said...

The image of the moths reminding of frailty just really touched my heart. This was beautifully written.

-t- said...

the moments that He speaks unspoken. the moments of knowing between the two who have become one. blessings.

prayers for peace, fellow pilgrim :)

Leslie said...

"But we keep walking, because what is a pilgrim but one who puts foot in front of foot even when those feet ache and we're far from home."

How your words speak my heart and my life today. I know you are grieving deeply. May His grace abound to you in this time of putting one foot in front of the other. May His light shine in the darkness. He is coming soon.

Brian Miller said...

the world can beat us up pretty bad somedays...it is always good to have these small reminders, like the moth...and thta this is not the end...

Karmen M. said...

Absolutley amazing! Thank you.

Unknown said...

oh, this is a blessing to read.

peace to you

Mommy Emily said...

my eyes are welling...

i could have read forever.

the white moth messengers...

the eyes meeting...

so well written. and amen, to a world without end...

love to you sweet sister. xo

Carrie Van Horn said...

Sarah loved every line of this beautiful pilgrimage!...:-)

Misty said...

the meeting of eyes is enough.

to be so partnered on a pilgrim's journey--beautiful. i don't know what pain or fear lies below these words, but i feel the hope in "enough."
this is startling in how beautiful it is.
--you mentioned on my blog broken shards of hope. that's one of the best descriptors i've ever heard, spoken from one broken soul to another..the kind who gets that hope is searing sometimes, cuts us right through, yes?

Kati patrianoceu said...

The moment of realisation that there's more out there, and that we're not alone. I pray that all pilgrims will have that moment of affirmation.

The women I shared about in my Imperfect Prose today are people who could use that encouragement. I pray God gives them that.

Karmen M. said...

I cannot find a way to email you, so I would very much like to get to know you better. Please feel free to check out my blog or to find me on facebook under Karmen White Madan

terri said...

i read this yesterday and i've been sitting with it since then. i love the way you tend to words and emotion together. i'm thinking of my own pilgrimage and how you've shined a light on what that really means.

i feel very fortunate to be someone who is touched by this gift of yours. love to you...

christianne said...

Wow, Sarah. This is beautiful. There are so many layers here and such significance. I love feeling like you're talking with me, but also like I'm listening in on a conversation between two intimates.

I am longing for that day when the pilgrimage is over. But I'm thankful for the graces that come even while our feet are dusty.

Sarah said...

Thank you all so much for your comments . . . I'm short on words this week, but know I read them all and they mean so much to me.

joanna said...

this was a unique story , captivating, messengers sent in the form of white moths, a wonderful pilgrimage, very touching.

lovely imperfect prose,

Joanny

alittlebitograce said...

tears prickle my eyes, and words well up, but my tangled brain can't process them. please know that your words are blessing and encouraging this fellow discouraged pilgrim. *hugs*