Life is a Daily Walk

Wednesday Wisdom: Life is a Daily Walk.

A few years ago, while I was attending a retreat in Healdsburg, California, I decided to take a hike through the woods nearby the center. As I got deeper into the forest, I began to hear branches creaking and birds rustling in the leaves, along with some other unfamiliar sounds in the distance. I knew that many parks had reported cougars roaming about, but their sightings were rare. Still, the fear took hold of me. I was alone. I hadn’t been on this trail before. In fact, I’d never been to Healdsburg before. I didn’t know where I was, and the trail was not well marked. My heart began to race along with my mind.

What could I do at this point? How do we respond when the voices of fear and doubt get stirred up? I decided to bring my attention into my feet, and focus on each step. My mantra became: Here I am. Walking.

I listened to the sound of my boots as they touched the squishy mud, staying present in my body. And as I walked, I began to sense that God was walking with me. Yes, God was walking with me on my journey of life. I heard myself say:  I trust You.

I eventually arrived at the top of the hill, which gave me my bearings, and I followed the path around the mountain ridge. With each step, through the mud, and through the fear, I repeated the words: I trust You, until I reached the road that lead back to the retreat center. This little adventure reminded me, and still reminds me, that God walks with us on the journey of life.

Pause and Pray

• Where do you need to invite God to walk with you in your life?
• In the depth of your heart, can you hear the words: I trust You.