ROOTED IN LOVE ◽ HOME
I have a really simple, really affordable hobby: Walking.
It might sound silly, but I just really like to walk. I love to go several times a day, starting with a morning prayer walk before my family wakes up. I live out in the country, so it’s usually just me, my dog, and the sights and sounds of nature. There are no distractions, and I get to escape everything else that’s going on for a few minutes. My head is clear and my soul draws near to God whenever I’m outside walking.
Not only is walking a great way to stay active and healthy, but it’s also become a form of worship. It’s a time carved out of my day where I intentionally focus on God. It’s like a reset button on my worries and fears and stress. It all fades away with each step. I get my feet moving and my blood pumping, and it somehow helps me see Him more clearly.
Drawing close to the Lord doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as waking up a few minutes early, lacing up your shoes (or slipping on some Crocs), and getting outside to put some steps in.
Or heading out after dinner for an evening stroll. Or making time for a midday powerwalk. Whenever it might be and whatever it might look like, it’s simply giving Him our time. Not because He needs it, but because He’s been so gracious to give it to us in the first place.
I have to be honest. I struggle a lot with anxiety and worrying over little things. But ever since I made a habit of taking a prayer walk in the mornings, I struggle a little bit less. And in case you’re wondering, I am NOT a morning person at all. So it takes a lot of self-discipline to give up those extra few minutes of sleep, but it’s so worth it! Spending that time with God first thing in the morning has become my favorite time of the day. Whenever I have to miss it for some reason, it feels like something is missing. It’s become a habit, but it’s also more than that. It’s part of what keeps me going when life is hard. No matter what else is going on, having those few quiet moments makes all the difference in my mental well-being.
If you haven’t tried praying while you walk, I highly encourage you to try. It’s a lot easier to pray while your feet are moving than when you’re sitting still, or at least it is for me. Plus, what could be better than actively working on your physical, mental, and spiritual health all at once? I think that’s what you would call a win-win-win situation!