Walking Reflections
Sharing my thoughts from an unplugged walk
I went on a walk by myself the other day - no music, no podcast, no audiobook. It’s pretty rare for me, but every time I do it, I wonder why I don’t do it more often.
When I take the time to walk alone, I find that my thoughts are actually pretty good company. And in the quiet, God always meets me there.
As I walked, I was thinking about how often I talk to God about something, only to get frustrated when he doesn’t answer.
But if I’m being honest, many of our “conversations” look like me talking at him for twenty minutes and then immediately jumping into the next thing on my to-do list.
Can you imagine if we did this with our spouse, our mom, or our best friend? If we talked non-stop, never gave them space to respond, and then got annoyed later that they didn’t help us or offer advice?
And yet, how often do we do exactly that with God?
One of my goals this year - and really, in life - is to become a better listener.
You know those people who are just so easy to talk to because it feels like they’re fully present? They ask thoughtful questions. They’re curious, focused, and not in a rush.
That’s the kind of listener I want to be - not only with my friends and family, but with God too. I want to spend time with Him that doesn’t solely involve me talking, but includes me listening as well.
Back in college, there was a season where I really clung to the phrase “open hands.” I was going through a breakup, changing my major, and living through a pandemic. I had no idea what was coming next, but I decided I wanted my posture to be one of surrender - open hands, ready for whatever God had for me.
Maybe for this season, it’s not just open hands.
Maybe it’s open ears.
Listening for His voice. For His direction. For His love.
It is always all around us - if we’ll just be quiet enough to hear it.
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Take care,
Caroline