This afternoon I just felt the need for a walk. I put on my best tennis shoes and hit the road. Well sidewalk really. It was cloudy. A slight breeze was welcoming. Waving to this passerby, then that passerby. Talking to neighbors. Noticing the change in plants and trees. Grass that was thick and beautiful and some that was overcome with weeds. Don’t you just love to take in all that God would show you and allow Him to fill your thoughts with whatever He pleases? Well I was doing that so well that I hardly noticed the back of my left heal beginning to hurt. My thoughts went to the fact that my shoes may need replacing. When I bought them at a thrift store they looked new…maybe it’s time. I should get new shoes! After much thought (if you don’t know me, I think big and hard and long) the decision was made. By then my left heal was REALLY hurting. So much so that I stopped to take a look. There was almost blood for goodness sake. I tugged at my sock, trying to see if it would pull up and cover the worn spot long enough for me to get home, but it wouldn’t budge. I tried again to no avail. When I lifted my leg, releasing the weight on my foot – that is when the sock moved. That is when I was able to cover the worn spot long enough to make it home. And that is when He took over teaching me yet again…..oh how I cherish that.

We all walk along in our lives. Wearing what ever shoes we have. Some peoples shoes are well fitting, never a blister able to withstand the longest of walks. Some people shoes are fine for walking, but take off into a serious run and they may not work the best. Some peoples shoes can’t even withstand a walk.

When we live our lives totally absent of a relationship with God, our walk is rough. Blisters over and over. So much so the wounds have scars. Scars that aren’t dealt with by allowing God’s word to speak to them, heal them and correct them will be life long scars. Never healing. Always painful to you and those around you.

When we live our lives checking off boxes, meaning we go to church, we do this study and that study. We serve. Which are all needed and beautiful and enable us to walk. But without a personal relationship with God – our walk is just a walk. Not able to withstand life circumstances that require a hard run. Not an abundant free run of Gods promise.

When our lives are centered around our personal relationship with God, we are covered. Covered in His promises. His provision. His protection. Until we finally get home. Just like the sock….we have to release the weight of our lives, stop trying to handle it all in our way. Then and only then, will God cover us, protect us and ease the walk…..until we are home.