She Walks

Whether it's raining, sunny, dismal, breezy, cold or perfect out, there's an old woman who walks. Every morning (except for the bitter cold mornings) she dresses for the weather, puts on her walking shoes, grabs her walking stick (which I'm convinced is more to keep the dogs away then for walking with), and plods forward with as much gusto as she can muster (which is quite an impressive amount!). She inspires me, every.single.day I drive to work. I imagine she keeps on moving for fear of her body slowly wearing down. They say the older you get the more you need to keep things moving to stay strong!

Yesterday, as I slowed to the usual crawl to pass her safely, I realized what a picture of hope she is to me. Every morning she wakes up and makes a choice, no matter the weather. Spring days must exhilarate her as she soaks in the warmth of the sun and listens to the harmony of birdsong and creek waters. These days must be easy to go walking. Winter days must be a real bear as she talks her joints into moving out into the cold, dark, numbing morning. These dreadful, uninspiring, forever long days must feel impossible to go walking. But no matter the season, she is faithful. She walks.

We have the same choice throughout the seasons of our days. Whether we feel the ease of a spring walk or the impossibilities of the winter, you and I can choose to slip on our walking shoes. To choose not to is to allow our hope to stiffen up and become weak. Let's stay strong, let's keep putting one foot in front of the other. If we stay faithful, the path will lead us to a place of indescribable beauty and peace!

Gear Up! Let's keep walking!