When I got accepted to go on the World Race, I told my parents that I wanted something sentimental from them to take with me. It was totally up to them as to what it would be, but I just wanted something to remind me that I have two amazing parents at home that support me, love me, pray for me, and miss me.
Mind you, this was 9 months ago.
In all honesty, I forgot about it and it really had slipped my mind.
Needless to say, I was stoked and pleasantly reminded.
After being gone for a week at a pastor's conference, my parents came back and sat me down. They mention they had a "treat" for me. Hmm, a treat – I thought. Probably a t-shirt, possibly a CD, but little did I know it was THE TREAT.
My mom had a small bag in her hand which contained the "treat."
Trying to examine what it is, I waited patiently.
She's gripped this little bag as she began to explain to me, "Me and your dad got this for you at the pastor's conference. You once told us before that you wanted something from us to take on the race with you to remind you of home and of us. As we have thought about it, we decided to get you this."
Her hand dives into the bag, and she pulls out a key that is hanging from a chain.
My mom proceeds to explain that this key necklace is from an organization called The Giving Key, which strictly deals with the homeless and takes people in from off the streets. They find old keys and allow these homeless ones who now have shelter to engrave words on these keys. She goes on to further explain the process in how they came to choose this specific one.
"Well, your dad wanted you to have the large size key. I thought you would want the small size key, so we settled for a medium. Your dad was also set on it saying "strength." He believes that this will be the number one thing you will need during your time away from home. It turns out that there is a medium key that has "Strength" on it, just for you. So we got it."
Thinking that she is done, I am surprised to hear my mom continue in her explanation.
"Not only is this key meant to belong to you, but it's a key that is supposed to one day be paid forward. You are to keep it, pray about it, and eventually pass this same key onto someone else that you feel lead to and who you think could use the engraved word.
AND "Not only are you supposed to pay it forward, but they ask you to blog and write about how you came up with that person and your experience with this key."
WAS THIS NOT PERFECT OR WHAT?!?
I absolutely love this idea.
This necklace is already so dear to me.
From all of the thought and heart behind the ministry it came from, the fact that a homeless person made it, the process it was to choose this one specifically for me, and the blessing to one day give it away.
Not going to lie,
I already am excited to see who I get to freely give this to,
as I have freely received it.
Then I began to think a little deeper than just the surface level idea.
I've often heard or read many blogs of racers who have struggled with the feelings of homelessness while on the race.
They, soon to be I, are living in a tent, out of a backpack, moving every month for 11 months, if not more, and have no sense of permanent home.
Homelessness is something I am sure I will at one point relate to while I am gone,
but may this necklace always remind me that even the homeless have it written on their key that through His strength, they can also make it.
The key to successfully continue the kingdom of God without burning out or growing weary is remaining in His strength at all times.
As my feet hit the soil of 11 different countries, may this thought always be with me.
May this key remind me that in Him, all things are possible.
May this key comfort me knowing that I may be living on the streets, but He has taken me in and in Him I find my home, my place.
And eventually, may this key be a blessing to someone else.
I want to give my wonderful parents a huge thank you for the perfect gift for me on this journey. I know it will continue to speak strength to me at times I feel weak and remind me,
I'm not alone.
