Two weeks ago my wife, Connie (who also serves as Salem’s parish nurse) began a program called "Walking and the Word".  At 6:30am on Wednesday mornings you meet at the church (with Connie) and go for a 1/2 hour walk.  Upon your return you head to the church fellowship hall for b-fast (coffee, juice and something healthy to eat) and devotions with me — hence "Walking and the Word".  After three weeks we have 3 faithful walkers.  But whether anyone shows up or not, Connie and I will be there — exercising, enjoying breakfast and devotions.

Today, Connie was out of town for a meeting so that meant I was in charge of everything — including the walking — which was (and is) fine.  I got up at 5:30am and got b-fast ready and the coffee maker set.  At 6am I went outside to prepare for a short run before the walkers arrived.  As I was stretching out a Suburban pulled into the parking lot.  It was W.  W is a sweet man.  He always spoils Connie and I at Christmas with a gift certificate to a fancy restaurant.  This morning W got out of his vehicle and said, "No one should walk alone or walk alone in life.  So I will walk with you."  I couldn’t help but smile.  I explained to him the walkers arrive in a 1/2 hour and that I was going for a run before we walk.  I invited him to come back at 6:30 but he said he is not much of a walker…he just didn’t want me to walk alone.  We chatted for a while and then he left to have coffee with the guys.

What a great thing to say, "No one should ever walk alone".  How true…how true.  No one should EVER walk alone and no one does when it come to Christ.  But here on this earth many people still "walk alone".  They grieve alone, deal with problems alone, celebrate alone, cry alone. 

"No one should ever walk alone"

Most if not all of us know people who "walk alone".  We know people who feel isolated because of choice or because of life circumstances.  They may feel lost and don’t know what to do.  But whether it is a choice or life circumstance…

…"No one should ever walk alone"…

…so go and "walk" with them.  Remind them that with Christ they never truly walk alone.  They never truly grieve alone or deal with problems alone or…you get the picture. 

"No one should ever walk alone" is a nice thing to say but an even better thing to put into practice. W does it literally and figuratively.  So pull a W…pull off the "road"…step outside your comfort zone…and "walk" or walk with someone.  Because…"No one should ever walk alone".  Thanks W…and…happy "walking" to all.

-edh-