Nearly every week day morning is see an elderly couple walking together along the side walk. They aren’t hand in hand but they are side by side. They faithfully walk together, every day. The husband, though he has longer legs and a longer stride, shortens his steps so that his wife would be in step with him. I haven’t a clue what they chat about as they walk; I’m sure they talk about the weather, the morning fog, the falling leaves, the landscape of the homes, maybe about their children or grandchildren, occasionally scrapping up memories from when they were young and in love. The only difference from when they were young and in love to now is their age, perhaps even the love itself as well; I am sure if you asked either one, they will tell you that their love for each other has increased each day they have been together.
I know I am making a lot of assumptions about this precious couple. But observing them walk together, faithfully, day by day, tells me there is a bond in their life that continues to strengthen.
What if we didn’t need each other? What if God had looked at Adam and said, “Oh, it’s fine that man is alone… it will cause less problems for him later on.” What if that were the case? The more I live, the more I realize life isn’t about the things I do, places I go, accomplishes I make, but it’s about the people around me. An adventure is only as wonderful as my fellow adventurers! I know that times of solitude and getting away are necessary, but they mustn’t be habitual and constant.
My precious brothers and precious sisters, enjoy those around you; they are gifts from God. You can impact the people that you are around every day, just don’t stop being around them. Times will be frustrating, trials will come, circumstances may be uncomfortable, but continue to walk side by side.
Romans 12:3-13
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we hae many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who show mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, contributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
