A friend and I have been emailing back and forth, and finally we found a time when we could get together in person. We met at a nearby recreation path. We walked on the path and we talked for almost an hour. The time flew by.
Yesterday, another friend wanted to go out for lunch. "Let's get together and go for a walk first," she said. So we drove to a recreation path in the next town. We walked and talked together before heading to the restaurant.
I came away from both of those meetings feeling uplifted and very much at peace. We had shared about what was going on in our lives, a few memories, and our plans. We shared what was new and even what we had not known about one another before. Trust grew. Friendship deepened. AND we got some exercise!
I am reminded of the Scripture reading, "Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:7. Another translation reads, "Befriend one another..." I like that. Friendship is a precious gift.
In Scripture, we read that Jesus walked a lot. He walked from town to town in the company of his friends. He did a lot on walks. He worked miracles, he taught, he met new people along the way.
I want to make "walking and talking" with friends a regular part of my life. And I want to invite Jesus, who is The Best Friend, to always be with us.
"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20.
There is something intimate about walking with a friend. I think it is because when walking, you are physically close together and yet not maintaining direct eye contact - sometimes it is easier to share feelings and thoughts when not looking directly at someone - and yet it is very easy to turn your head to see their reaction to what you are saying. Walking gives privacy, too! No one will be privy to your entire conversation without your knowledge! I love walking with a friend!
ReplyDeletePeople often talk about the first time they recognized Jesus in their lives. For me, it was outside in the woods, where I discovered an old, overgrown Chapel. I sensed God's presence and soon after learned a hymn that has become my all-time favorite: "I Come to The Garden Alone." It is an old traditional hymn and, as expected, it has many Biblical references: Genesis 3:8, Psalm 5:3, John 10:3, John 10:27, John 20:1-18, John 20:20
Here are the lyrics:
I Come To The Garden Alone
While The Dew Is Still On The Roses,
And The Voice I Hear Falling On My Ear
The Son Of God Discloses.
Refrain:
And He Walks With Me, And He Talks With Me,
And He Tells Me I Am His Own;
And The Joy We Share As We Tarry There,
None Other Has Ever Known.
He Speaks, And The Sound Of His Voice
Is So Sweet The Birds Hush Their Singing,
And The Melody That He Gave To Me
Within My Heart Is Ringing.
Refrain
I’d Stay In The Garden With Him,
Though The Night Around Me Be Falling,
But He Bids Me Go; Through The Voice Of Woe
His Voice To Me Is Calling.
Refrain
I hadn't thought about this before, but perhaps this is why I love to pray my Rosary while I walk? By praying and reflecting on the life of Jesus and His Mother Mary, truly, I'm walking, remembering, sharing, and catching up with my dearest and best Friend!
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