One Foot in Front of the Other

"Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (Amos 3:3 NIV).

John and I like to take walks. We have enjoyed the beautiful weather of the past week by taking several long walks in our area of Ankeny. We are so blessed to have sidewalks and streets to walk on here. We enjoy getting to know the town better and even find some surprises along the way.

Sunday we discovered a great playground area not too far away that we hope to take the grandkids to one day. The park area was bustling with families that day. We have had to backtrack a few times when we reached a cul-de-sac instead of a through street. We found sidewalks that ended abruptly and bike paths we didn't know existed.

We are amazed at how many ponds there are in this town. There are always ducks and geese flying overhead, it seems. We enjoy looking at landscaping, lawns, and trees; waving at runners and bikers who pass by; and watching children play. We are barked at by dogs and are tortured by the aroma of grilling burgers as we walk by. We spot houses we like and others we don't. We see homes that look lived in and others that seem abandoned.

Over time we have developed a system for walking together. John's steps are bigger than mine so I have to walk a little faster so I can keep up. Sometimes we walk hand-in-hand so we don't bump into each other. John usually sets the path for where we go and says "right" or "left" as we approach a corner. That 'system' developed after we ran into each other a few times as we attempted to go in opposite directions.

We have many directions yet to explore and one goal is to walk to Saylorville Lake and back when John retires and we have a little more time. We need to build up to that walk. We are a little rusty at this point in winter. We came home last night after walking for an hour and a half and we both were a bit achy.

John likes to walk at night when the street lights are on, too. He says everything looks different and nicer at night. That sounds like a good thing to do when we have hot days and cooler nights. We are thankful for our constant walking companion, Jesus Christ.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,'" (John 8:12 NIV).