The Sidewalk

She walks along the sidewalk,

With purpose in her stride,

With a certain destination in mind,

Hoping to make it in time.

Then, almost naturally,

She falls in step with another,

Their presence was mutually felt,

But not immediately acknowledged.

When a voice spoke out, breaking the silence,

Asking, "Are you walking this way?"

She looked up, taken by surprise.

"Yes," she responded without delay.

"Do you want to walk together?"

At that moment, an invitation was extended,

A curious excitement arose within,

She said, "Yes, of course!"

They continued walking along the street,

Exchanging a smile and a laugh,

And a friendship was born that day,

On the sidewalk.

(The sidewalk where I met Esha on campus 2 years ago. Pic taken on Aug 26th, 2023 a year exactly from the day I am writing this:)

I have been reflecting on this beautiful exchange I had several years ago and several revelations came to mind that I wanted to share with you.

The first is the concept of time. It is so easy to fall into the rush of life going from one commitment to the next. I am reminded of the many stories of Jesus' journey from place to place with a purpose. As He journeyed many amazing encounters unfolded unexpectedly. He was often interrupted but He embraced each opportunity, responding to the person before Him with full intention.

This leads me to the question: What if there is something significant for us in the in-between moments? This reflection has been something I continually come back to and it reminds me to embrace each moment fully. To walk through life at a pace with space for interruption and give time to whatever opportunity crosses your path. The in-between can be an opportunity to still our hearts, our minds, and breathe as we journey forward. I often take it as an opportunity to sit and listen for God's voice and to respond.

The second is that of the sidewalk. Within this poem, I envisioned the sidewalk reflecting our journey in life and the people we encounter along the way. We make meaningful connections with those we come across, some for a short while, and some for a lifetime. Each person we encounter impacts us uniquely and contributes to our experience of life. Just like a sidewalk, the journey has ups and downs so it is important to be aware of who is walking alongside you to support you along the way.

To me, the sidewalk reflects my spiritual journey and relationship with God. As my friend reached out offering an invitation to walk together, God offers the same invitation to us in every moment, desiring to journey with us relationally through our lives.

The third is the power of asking a simple question. Reaching out with confidence and a genuine curiosity broke down a barrier between two strangers, who shared a moment in time together. It is a lesson for us all to approach life with an open heart, cherishing the opportunities that arise along the way. I am inspired that the sidewalk transformed into a meeting place - a reminder that connection and opportunities can flourish anywhere and anytime.

Amongst the hustle of life, there is joy and value in slowing down and appreciating the simplicity of the in-between spaces. For me, this translates to walking slowly when I am in a hurry, putting my phone aside and embracing silence, reading a good book, or simply driving to the speed limit (we've all been there!). Some of these examples may sound silly, but they offer a chance to become fully present. This allows my whole being to slow down and carry on with intentionality.

I hope that wherever you find yourself today on the sidewalk of life, you are encouraged and can carry something of this with you forward on your journey.

(Trip to Fiji with Esha)