Walking in the garden of grace,
Welcome to this time of movement and peace.
Today we aren't walking to get anywhere,
We are walking simply to be.
Before you begin,
Stand still for a moment.
Feel the ground beneath your feet.
Feel the weight of your body supported and held.
Take a deep breath in,
Acknowledging this air as a gift.
And as you exhale,
Let the tension in your shoulders drop away.
Now,
Begin to walk,
Not your hurry pace,
But a slow,
Intentional stroll.
Let your arms hang loosely.
As each foot touches the earth,
Imagine you are letting go of one worry.
Step,
Release,
Step,
Release.
As you move,
Look around you.
Whether you are on a city sidewalk or a forest path,
Notice the details.
The way the light filters through the air,
The vastness of the sky above you.
In the Book of Job,
We are reminded to ask the birds of the air and the plants of the earth,
For they will teach us.
They don't strive,
Yet they are provided for.
Notice the colors,
The textures.
These are the fingerprints of a creator who cares about detail.
If he cared enough to paint the petal of a flower you're passing,
How much more does he care for the path you are walking today?
Trust that your steps are being directed,
Even when the destination feels far away.
Check in with your body.
Are you holding tightness in your jaw,
Your hands?
Let it go.
God tells us,
Come to me,
All who are weary.
Walking is a way of physically moving toward that invitation.
Imagine that with every step forward,
You are leaving behind a heavy backpack of what-ifs and should-haves.
You don't have to carry them anymore.
You were never meant to.
Feel the rhythm of your breath.
Inhale,
I am loved.
Exhale,
I am at peace.
Inhale,
I am held.
Exhale,
I am letting go.
Notice the sensation of your heels striking the ground,
Then the ball of your foot,
Then your toes.
The earth is firm,
It doesn't give way.
This is a physical reminder of God's faithfulness.
He is the rock that does not move.
When your mind starts to wander to tomorrow's to-do list,
Gently bring it back to your feet hitting the ground.
Here,
Now,
Guided.
You don't need to see the whole map.
You only need the strength for this one,
Single step.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
Not a spotlight on the whole mountain,
Just a lamp for the very next step.
Trust the light you have right now.
As we begin to bring this walk to a close,
Slow your pace even further.
Feel a sense of gratitude blooming in your chest.
Thank you for the strength to walk.
Thank you for the breath in my lungs.
Begin to bring your awareness back to the world around you,
But keep this internal garden quiet.
You can return here whenever the world feels loud.
When you are ready,
Come to a gentle stop.
Stand still once more,
Just as we started.
Feel the stillness.
You are safe.
You are seen.
And you are deeply loved.
Go forward into your day knowing that you never walk alone.
Amen.
