A few days ago, I sat comfortably with my youngest granddaughter, Anna, and as we snuggled together, relishing time and love, she reached up and touched a tiny cross at the nape of my neck. “Is that your forever necklace?” I was puzzled and she explained, “Well, Mama has a necklace that she wears every day. It’s her ‘forever necklace.’”
Immediately I knew what she was talking about because I remember picking out that particular necklace and giving it to her mom as a gift.
I explained that yes, it was my favorite lil’ cross, and yes, I guess it was my “forever necklace,” as I wear it almost every day.
Then I pondered the deeper meaning, my “forever cross.” Daily I wear that cross, a tiny ornamental piece of jewelry, and I’ve noticed that when something worrisome or extraordinarily joyful happens, I automatically reach up to that little cross at my neck and hold on to it fast, clutched in my fist. It’s just a physical response, and that lil’ cross is nothing magical in and of itself. Yet, it represents sooo much more to me! It represents faith of the “old rugged cross” to which I cling. And, by the same token, when my faith is weak, as it often is, it represents a deep hunger of the heart, a fervent prayer that cries out, “Oh, please, please, please, Lord, help me!”
When I bathe and dress for the day and put on that tiny cross, I’m reminded to Whom I belong, I’m reminded Whose family I represent, and I remember Who goes before me and with me in difficult circumstances. I’m reminded that even though some days are overly quiet and too long, I know that I’m not alone because He is with me. I’m reminded of the love He showed to me through the substitutionary death of His son. I’m reminded of His deep blessing of grace that invites me into eternal life, my “forever life!”
Yes, Anna, it is, indeed, my “forever necklace!”
“Bootsie” Johnston