Kelly popped her earbuds into her ears and queued up a Christian podcast. Determined to improve both her spiritual and physical health, she set off at a brisk walk around her neighborhood. For the first mile, she pressed on at a rapid pace, trying to concentrate on what she was hearing, but the formality of the teaching left a lot to be desired. She found her mind wandering. Feeling frustrated, she clicked off the podcast and dropped her earbuds back into her pockets. She frowned. Why wasn’t she spiritual enough to gain wisdom from the lesson?

            With the earbuds out of her ears, the sounds of the neighborhood filled her senses. Birdsongs filled the air. Dogs barked, lawnmowers roared, and children laughed. The whole neighborhood was alive this morning. All sounds she hadn’t heard when she tried to listen to the preacher with all the degrees.

            As she turned the corner, she sucked in a breath at the bursts of color. Hydrangea bushes lined the street, their blue, lavender, and pink blooms vibrant against their verdant leaves. Had the neighborhood always been this beautiful?

             A mother with a baby stroller passed, and Kelly gave a cheerful hello. Same with a man walking his golden retriever. Two kids whizzed by on bicycles. Kelly made it down to the end of the block and turned the next corner. As she passed the Carvers’ house, Melody called out to her.

            “Kelly, wait up! Can I walk with you?”

            Kelly loved Melody, but she was not a fast walker. Already she wasn’t getting her spiritual part of the walk in. Now she wouldn’t even get decent exercise. She couldn’t tell Melody that, though. She halted in her tracks and waited for Melody to catch up.

            Kelly threw her friend a smile. “It’s been a while. How is everything with you and the family?”

            “Oh, not bad…” It was clear Melody wasn’t her usual cheery self.

            “Is something wrong?”

            “Well, if you really want to know, we’re dealing with a few trials right now. I’ve been having some health issues, and Jim is worried he’s about to get laid off.”

            Kelly laid a hand on Melody’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry.” For the next two miles, they talked, laughed, cried, and prayed together. By the time Kelly made her way back around to her house, her spirit was light.

            “I guess this is where you get off,” Melody said. “Thanks for letting me walk with you. I know I’m not very fast, but my doctor wanted me to get more exercise. A slow walk is better than no walk.”

            Kelly grinned. “And a slow walk with a friend is better than walking alone. Should we do this again tomorrow?”

            Melody’s eyes lit up. “I’d love that. It’s so much easier to walk with a friend.”

            Kelly headed back into her house where her husband sat drinking a cup of coffee. He glanced up at her entrance. “How was your speed-walking sermon time?”

            Kelly considered the question. “Well, I didn’t get very far with the sermon, and I didn’t walk very fast.”

            Scott’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m sorry. I know you were looking forward to the walk. It’s a shame it didn’t turn out as you’d hoped.”

            Kelly shrugged. “It didn’t turn out as I expected, but I’m not disappointed. God showed me the beautiful sights and sounds of our neighborhood and connected me with Melody. Instead of listening to a sermon, I got to invest in her life and pray with her. I think God purposely thwarted my plans to show me His were better. From now on I’ll have an open mind when I’m hoping to learn something from Him. And now I have a friend to accompany me tomorrow as well.”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

God, sometimes we make plans without consulting You. But even when those plans fail, you always make Yourself known. Please help us open our eyes to the opportunities around us. Help us to minister to those we come across in our daily lives.