Yesterday, I went with my neighbor, Anne, to the nursing home that I will start volunteering at tomorrow.  She is going to come alongside me in this venture and together we will lead the residents in a weekly craft/baking time.  We excitedly talked about creative ideas that we could engage them in that would reflect the current season or holiday.  This was walk #1.  A purposeful walk.

No sooner had I gotten home from that walk than my friend, Carol, called to see if I’d like to go for a walk with her.  She said that the walk she was intending was about an hour round trip.  Now, I know Carol and her walks well enough by now to know that they generally run about twice as long as she plans.  And so our “hour” walk turned into two and half hours of running errands, greeting local merchants downtown and shopping along the way.  This was walk #2.  A spontaneous walk.

This morning I got up to do my new “habit” of walking through neighborhoods, uphill and down, and through downtown Pleasanton.  I have music playing in my ears and my arms and legs moving fast enough to really get my heart pumping.  It’s about a three mile route.  It gives me a chance to clear my head, strengthen my body and take in all the sights, sounds and smells that stimulate my senses.  This was walk #3.  An invigorating walk.

I came home from that walk to two puppies looking up (and jumping up) at me, clearly telling me that it was their turn for a stroll.  So, after a couple deep breaths, I put their leashes on and off I went again to walk the dogs.  This was walk #4.  A dutiful walk.

In about an hour, walk #5 will take place.  My friend Lori and I will walk downtown to get a bowl of oatmeal from our favorite new spot.  The oatmeal will be delicious with all its nuts and berries and seeds.  But it won’t come close to the lovely flavor of the conversation that I know is waiting for us when we get there.  Time spent with a wonderful friend where two hearts will be shared.  Walk #5 will be a pleasure walk.

This path we call life contains all types of walks.  A different kind every day and often multiple kinds in each day.  Things we “have to” do.  Things we “get” to do.  Things we “must” do.  Things we “want” to do.  Sometimes the walk is uphill.  Rocky.  Long and hard.  But the upward climb, the struggle, always makes us appreciate the downhill relief even more.

Newton’s first law of motion states that “An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion”.  Don’t I know that!  When I get up to take my 6:00 a.m. walk, the toughest part is getting out of bed.  Getting into motion.  Once I’m moving, I’m fine and a momentum builds and propels me to want to keep going.

If the path ahead is unknown or tough, my tendency will be to stay where I’m at.  To “stay at rest”.  But what will I miss by staying in bed? What if there is a flowering tree whose scent I would miss?  How would I hear the birds singing along the way or see the interesting breeds of dogs being walked by even more interesting people?  If I choose to avoid the walk just because it might be rocky or boring or too much work, I miss out on everything that makes that path beautiful and unique.

One foot in front of the other in a forward motion.  That is walking.  One foot in front of the other in a forward motion.  That is life on a good day.  Pressing forward into uncharted territory.  Following our Guide. as He walks ahead of us and clears the way.

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:2 – He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight.