Walkin' the Walk

Walking.....it's what I do every day.  For me it's therapeutic, healing, and refreshing for my mind, body, soul and spirit.  I walk every day, because I feel I need it every day, and here in  Southern California, there's not much in the line of weather to prevent this healthy habit.  Most days my mom is my walking buddy.  We're a team.....so much so that if the neighbors see me without my mom, they'll often comment, "Hey, where's your mom?"

1995 - In their jammies on a summer evening walk.

Walking is a habit that I picked up from my mom and my mom from her mom.  It started for me way back in high school, when I chose to walk to and from school, rather than taking the bus.  Since that time, walking has been my most tried and true form of exercise.  

When I was newly married, I worked out in a gym, but after baby number one, going off to the gym didn't work so well, and plus, I liked getting out with my boys.  I started going for walks with the baby in the stroller, and later it was a stroller and a Big Wheel.  I've walked with two in a single stroller, with my kids on their little bikes, with a dog, with boys on scooters, and at times, I've even strapped on roller blades to keep up while pushing a stroller.  It's been a long time since I've walked a dog or pushed a stroller around the neighborhood, but I have to say it's pretty nice to be able to swing my arms and walk freely. 

2001 - My third little walking buddy.

Every afternoon I prepare to match the weather, whether it's warm, cold or in-between.  In the winter I may even be seen wearing gloves and a scarf or a hat to keep warm.  (Whenever I do I think how some, in cold and snowy places, would think I'm pretty funny.....but it feels good to this California girl!)  I love looking at the sky, admiring the sunsets, noticing the flowers and greeting the neighbors.  Of course talking and walking go well together, so my mom and I share about life as we walk.  When I'm alone on my walks, I like to spend time "talking" with my Heavenly Father. 

Sometimes on our walks, my mom and I stop to chat a bit with the neighbors.  Of course stopping breaks the momentum, but we try to balance the benefit of walking with the value of making time for people.  Over the years, we have formed a good many relationships in the neighborhood because of the fact that we walk so regularly.  It's been funny when people, who we rarely see, comment that they see us walking all the time.  They may sometimes see us even when we can't see them.  

Walking.....we do it every day.....literally but symbolically too.  In the way we live, we walk out our beliefs, our values, and our faith.  Sometimes we feel alone, sometimes we walk in fellowship.  Sometimes we are faithful to obey our Heavenly Father, other times not so much.  Just as walking for exercise is a discipline, faith-walking requires habitual sacrifice and endurance.  One step at a time, one obedient decision after another.....this is the exercise that builds our faith.   

May we learn to walk as little children, truly trusting in our Father's love for us.  

Help us LORD to be ever faithful.....to trust and obey!

 

The tried-and-true message of this old tune takes me on a trip down memory lane.  In my mind's eye I see seasoned saints who walked the walk of faith and who in doing so modeled for me what trust and obedience look like. I see my grandparents, parents, extended family and church family, and my Christian school teachers.....a community of faith.  

For such a plethora of people who have led and guided me, I thank the LORD.  

May I too be a faithful witness.....for His kingdom and for His glory!