Tripping Over Typeset

At the beginning of this year, I made a goal to walk a thousand miles. It was part of my celebrating 50 years of living. Five hundred seemed too small and 50,000 was over the top so I settled on a thousand miles. I didn’t know then what an impactful number that would serve me now.

I also didn’t know when I began this walking journey that step-by-step COVID-19 and all the stuff with it was coming down the road at me.

Walking helps me process. I’m away from my domain and the distractions of dishes, stacks of to-do on my desk and people aren’t with me. It’s just me and the pavement. I do a lot of thinking and talking things out.

On these walks, Jesus and I have some pretty candid conversations.

• I’ve cried when frustrations of the day became too much.
• I’ve screeched and jumped when free-range chickens have come out of the ditch and crossed the road with me.
• I’ve pounded my feet when I really wanted to pound others with harsh words.
• I’ve yelled at God when those close to me were hurt by the actions of another.
• I’ve let tears roll down my face while cars roared by traveling who knows where.

These things and more I’ve processed while walking a thousand miles.

Last Sunday, our worship team led us in the song, “Not for a Moment” We’ve sang this song before but this week, a thousand miles meant something more to me.

You were reaching through the storm/walking on the water/even when I could not see/ In the middle of it all when I thought You were a thousand miles away/Not for a moment did You forsake me.

You were singing in the dark/Whispering Your promise/Even when I could not hear/ I was held in Your arms/ Carried for a thousand miles to show/Not for a moment did You forsake me.

Meredith Andrews – Not for a moment

Scenes and conversations from this year went through my mind.

• tears and pain
• processing change
• loss of people and relationships
• situations I can’t change or stop

A lot happens in a thousand miles.

As we continued to sing on Sunday, these words hit me, “In the middle of it all when I thought You were a thousand miles away. Not for a moment did you forsake me.”

And God, in His loving way, reminded me of other scenes from those walks together.

God meets us with His beauty and the reminder that in all things, He is there. Through every season He is constant.

We can become so frustrated by our days and our times. Yet in the midst of it all He remains faithful. He never leaves us abandoned or alone. He is a constant Presence and sovereign God who walks with us through all days and all situations.

As you look back on your days, can you see the faithfulness of the Father? Can you see His blessing at every step?

On our best and worst days, He is there.

He is there with the promise of His Presence and His grace to see us through.

Every step, every breath, You are there
Every tear, every cry, every prayer
In my hurt, at my worst
When my world falls down
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

Meredith Andrews – Not for a Moment

Even as I type this out I am praying for you, friend. Whatever road you are traveling, may you see the faithfulness of God. For a thousand miles and for every mile of your journey, He is with you. You do not travel alone.

With much love, ~ Rachel

Jump into the conversation: In the comments, I would love to hear from you. We encourage one another as we share our stories.

• How have you seen God working in your journey?
• When have you felt alone, and then realized God was with you?
• In this season, how have you seen His Presence with you?

For more encouragement, click and listen to Not for a Moment.