I want to tell you about an inspiring walk I had with a courageous woman. This walk was her first trip outdoors following a fall a few weeks earlier that had left her with broken bones. I offered this amazing lady a lift to church at which point she mentioned that she was thinking that she ought to start getting out again. As a result, instead of me driving her (that might have required even more courage and a crash helmet) we walked together instead.
We set off together at a nice slow and steady pace and we arrived around 10 minutes later. To take a first walk after a serious fall must be frightening and during our walk I mentioned how much I admired her for her courage. She replied that it hadn’t taken much courage to walk because I was with her. It honestly hadn’t occurred to me how meaningful my help was, I was just trying to help a friend in need in the same way that most people would. She talked about how nice it was to see beyond the four walls of her home and how pleasant it was to be outdoors again. It was encouraging to find such a meaningful way that any of us could be a help to someone else.
I paid attention to the pavement on the walk watching out for anything that might have caused my friend to trip. It was shocking to see how cracked and damaged the ground that we walked over was and as I talked with the other elderly folks later on after the service, they were surprised that I had never noticed before how bad the pavements are. I guess when we are strong and steady on our feet that a few bumps and small holes don’t make a difference and so we ignore them. It was good to be reminded of what other people go through each day and it acted as a helpful reminder to be more considerate and supportive of what others are going through.
I was a little bit scared as we set off. If she fell would that be my fault? Perhaps I should have insisted on giving her a lift? I dislike the health and safety obsessed nature of our society and I felt sad that I was worrying because I was focusing on these things during the early stages of the walk. Sometimes we can be overly protective of people when we need to take risks and encourage people to try new things. My friend took a risk and I was glad to support her as she rediscovered her confidence in herself and her ability to walk.
Life is like a journey. My friend showed great courage to walk again after things had gone wrong the last time she had tried. I hope that her courage will inspire us to move on in the walk of life after things have knocked us down.
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela
I hope that we will find the courage to conquer our fear and that we can be supportive of one another in this process. When it comes to life, we should be in it all together. Helping cost me 20-30 minutes, but to my friend it meant so much.
How could you help someone today?
As we journey through life, there are times when it is tough and times when it feels easy. In everything we go through, I hope that we will look to and be led by God who is with us always. My friend held my arm and it kept her steady, may we know what it is to hold to God and to allow him to be the stability and strength in our lives.
Honest about my faith 