Walk With Me

“Enoch walked with God; one day Enoch could not be found, because God took him.” 

                                                                        Genesis 5:24

I enjoy walking my dog almost daily.  Some days at a park or camp and other days just around the neighborhood or field.  I usually walk in all types of weather except downpours and thunderstorms. It is a quiet time, a time of reflection as well as a time for exercise and releasing the burdens of the day.  It is a time to walk with God and talk about what is on my heart.  I have never listened to music and rarely take my phone with me because I want to disconnect for a time from the negativity of the world and focus on God’s creation and God’s presence.

Enoch walked with God.  He was so close to God that one day God just said to him, “Why don’t you come home with me.  My home is closer.”  So Enoch walked with God into Heaven.  It sounds so peaceful to walk with God.  Our faith calls us to daily walk with God.  What does that really mean?  We may not visibly see God nor is it an actual walk in the park.  It is daily living in the presence of God and knowing God is with us even when we do not see or feel God’s presence.

This is what we do in our grief journey.  Our loved one continues to walk with us in our hearts.  We no longer see them physically or even feel their constant presence, but we know they are with us in our hearts because they always have been and always will be in a different form.  This past week I visited my friend, Ray, who will turn 97 next month.  He talked with me about the people God had placed in his life as signposts along the road.  These people walked with Ray for a short moment or for a long time and influenced and guided his journey of life.  Each person helped him become who he is today.  Some helped him grow in his faith and others challenged him in his career and personal growth.  Ray believes each person was placed by God to light his path and give direction just like a signpost guides us on the highway.

A signpost along the road gives us direction and guidance.  It does not disappear after we pass it but remains to guide and direct others.  I believe those we have loved remain a signpost in our lives.  Yes, they have influenced and given us guidance on the path of life and have walked with us for part of the journey.  They continue to influence our lives even after their own journey is complete.  Each day of my life, I live out the imprint of my loved ones in my life.  I think of them when making decisions.  When I take my walks and talk with God, I feel like I am walking with my loved ones, too.  As I ran one morning, I began to think about how God walks with me.  I reached out and took Jesus by the hand and in the other hand, I held onto my Heavenly Father.  It was in that moment, I felt the presence of my mom, then Dave, my Grandma, then Ruth, Tom, and then the moment was gone.  But in those moments I realized that as God walks beside me, so do those I have loved.  God walks between us providing a distance from my loved one.  The distance is because they are now with God and it is only through God’s presence I know my loved one is with me.

As I walk closer to God like Enoch, I am more aware of my loved ones and their influence and imprint on my life.  I have the assurance they walked with God and God took them to be with Him in Heaven.  Because they are in Heaven, they are in God’s presence and God is with me.  Therefore, as God is with me so is my loved one.  I can talk with God and feel I have an audience with me of my loved ones.  Keep walking.