Day 1, Five Minute Prompt: WALK
“Do you need a friend?” I hear them say to one another as they travel down dusty streets.
The sweet people of my host culture can’t stand to see someone walking alone. They aren’t as eager to walk with the red-headed foreigner lady, I’ve noticed, however.
I thought by now I would have found a friend with whom I’d walk this road of culture and language learning. I guess I’ll just have to keep going until I do.
As I go along, I’ll find others who walk alone and say, “Do you need a friend?”
If we’re honest, we all do.
And if you’re like me, you sometimes feel like you’re standing alone, watching others walk happily hand-in-hand (friends actually do that here). You’re pining for the kind of intimate friendship it seems like everyone else already has.
I’ve shared before how I love…
what the Word says about friends…
- friendly (Prov. 18:24)
- love at all times (Prov. 17:17)
- comfort and edify (1 Thess. 5:11)
- encourage to love and live better (Heb. 10:24-25)
- live selflessly and sacrificially (John 15:13)
I may not be invited on a lot of long walks with close friends. But the more I extend my hand to those who walk alone, the more I will be invited along the way. The deeper my relationships will run, and the more influence I will have for Christ in this country.
Who do you see walking alone today?
How can you apply the Golden Rule to your relationships?
Talk to me in the comment section!
If you can picture me and Christina walking with you, we totally would be there in spirit! I love that I get to know you through your words even though you are half a world away… and that walking with friends can be ‘walking’ through the ethereal essence of the internet… but as much as that might be slightly encouraging, there really is nothing quite as real and comforting as a real, human hug from a dear friend. xx
I am picturing it, and I am so encouraged! Thankful for the friends I have found in you two! I’m going back to America for those real friend hugs, and you gals are gonna get me there!
Amber, holding your hand with you. You are a gift!
Thanks, Tara…as are you!
A neighborhood coffee shop here is close to my heart. When my husband got his cancer diagnosis almost two years ago, the owner gave both of us a big hug when he found out. Over the year and a half while he and I struggled to get him well, the whole crew helped us. They offered to make us meals for the freezer, offered to help us with making sure the dog was taken care of while my husband was in the hospital. They carried us through 6 surgeries, 27 weeks of chemo, and 9 weeks of radiation therapy. They became family. I say all that to say this.
One of the baristas passed her state boards, and is moving on to a new job. I found out today was her last day. She’s sad to be leaving a place she’s worked at so long, and will miss all the friends she has. She looked so sad, even though she’s also excited. I’m not a hugely demonstrative person, but I went around the counter and gave her a big hug, and told her she was going to do well. I enjoyed your post, and the concept of “Do you need a friend?” when one is walking alone. We’re not actually alone (even though it can feel like it), and sometimes it’s as important to let other people know that, as it is to be reminded of it ourselves. Thanks for the food for thought. I’ll be turning this over in my head today.
What a precious story! I love that so much! I’m so thankful that you had those “extra” people to walk that difficult road with. I am always amazed at the “random” people who come along during the hard times and stick it out with me. Praise God you were able to bless this sweet girl in return as she left the family. God bless.
Some of your words reminded me of this post I wrote on a past Five Minute Friday where I acknowledged that we NEVER walk alone:
http://ambertaube.com/when-the-path-youre-called-to-walk-is-lonely/
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