This season beckons walking outdoors. The nip in the air, the sweaters, hot cocoa and tea offer a feeling of warmth and coziness. Walking even a short distance renews the mind, speaks to the soul.  I don’t walk nearly enough… with kids still in need of attention, finding time for exercise and walking isn’t quite as simple, but neither is it impossible. It is usually myself that stops me– not external circumstances. How can I be my own enemy? Yet, I am, when I neglect myself and my health.

I looked up a few verses on “walking”– that is, the spiritual walk. Is it righteous? Is it a walk by faith? How is the walk? The “walk” reminds me of Pilgrim and his arduous journey; yet our journey is no less challenging. We face our own ponds of despair and seasons of wilderness. We also meet others on the journey who wish to deceive us.

This morning I imagined myself laying burdens at the feet of Jesus, like Christian, as if they were burlap-wrapped bags heavy on my back. One by one, I dropped burdens of various sizes, some large, some small, and I tried to name them as I placed them at His feet, though I was conscious I was not leaving them all there, that I was still carrying some of them.

On many junctures in this journey, I stop and wonder which way I am to go, and if I am on the right path. I am reminded of my choice and free will… and then I think of God’s sovereignty and His plan… and I wonder about it all. I am not so stuck in this way of thinking to not take any steps, but there are some things for which I need and want clear direction. Sometimes we know that we can choose among several alternatives, but other times, we need a “yes” or a “no” or “go this way”.

Tonight as I was reading and pondering all these things, I realize I only need take one step a time, even if the step is a small one.

Here are some of the verses I found on “walk” and “walking”:

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.  –Psalm 1:1-3

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others — Psalm 15:1-3

For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life. –Psalm 56:13

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life. –Psalm 138:7

I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts. –Psalm 119:45

 For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
 that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living. –Psalm 116:8-9

11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble. –Proverbs 4:11-12

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. –Proverbs 10:9

Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm. –Proverbs 13:20

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it. –Isaiah 30:21

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. –Isaiah 40:30-31

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. — Isaiah 43:2

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. –Micah 6:8

Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” –Matthew 9:5-6

The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. — Matthew 15:31

As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them — Luke 24:15

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” –John 8:12

…and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. –Ephesians 5:2

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. –1 John 1:6-7

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Sharing with: Laura for Playdates with God, Jen for Soli Deo Gloria, L.L. for On, In and Around Mondays, and Ruth at The Better Mom

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Counting to 1,000 gracious gifts with Ann at A Holy Experience:

916. Wonderful visit with my parents, who live over 800 miles away.
917. Fantastic visit with a cousin I haven’t seen in 3 years. Played scrabble, had a little backyard fire pit and roasted marshmallows… a short but sweet visit to get caught up.
918. Thankful for the opportunity to be in my first performance in a theater production through the drama ministry at church. 4 more performances to go! It’s been fun and stretching, I’ve loved getting to know some new people, and I’d love to do it again. I greatly enjoy the acting, and I’ve learned so much about putting on a production from this angle (I’ve helped usher, with box office, I’ve attended plays, and my kids were in a production last year). One of my favorite things is praying with the group– each time we meet, we pray a lot. People share about themselves, and prayer needs for others.
919. Field trip to the museum
920. Interesting seminar.
921. Getting to know people. New friends and some old friends.
922. Finding peace through God’s word. Knowing that He walks with me, ahead of me and behind me. Thankful for the knowledge and assurance he knows the path and journey and I’m on.
923. Thankful for all He is teaching me– even the very hard things, for they bring me closer to Him and teach, teach, teach.
924. Praying to have love for those who are hard and difficult to love — and knowing that this is a prayer He can surely answer. 🙂
925. Thankful for the many ways He has blessed me. I sometimes look at all the obstacles and don’t see the other good things. It can be hard some days, no?
926. Fleece blankets. They are already needed for this gal who feels cold even at 50 degrees. 🙂
927. Movie night with popcorn, warm and cozy on the sofa.
928. Free picture editing program online.
929. Belting out worship songs, even at the expense of nearly losing my voice.
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