Friendship Fridays: Walking with my friend by Helen Murray

Continuing the theme of taking a friend for a walk, which we explored last week, here’s Helen with a thought-provoking glimpse at a slice of life. Might you too enjoy a walk with this friend?

I went for a walk with an old friend. He was pleased to hear from me, and accepted my invitation immediately. It was a gorgeous day, and he let me choose where to go, seeming happy just to be with me. I chatted about this and that; he didn’t say much at all so I felt as if I needed to fill the gaps in the conversation; if he found my monologue tiring, he didn’t let on. He’s a good listener.

After a while, it became clear that the route I’d chosen was more difficult than anticipated. A couple of times I felt the welcome reassurance of my friend’s hand on my elbow. I was soon too out of breath to talk but he didn’t seem to mind. Funnily enough, it was on the way down that I nearly fell. Feeling more confident, I strode off ahead and quickly stumbled, but he cannot have been far behind as he kept me from injury. After that rush of adrenalin I stayed closer to my sure-footed friend for a while, but I kept forgetting.

My eyes fixed downward on the path, I almost missed gorgeous baby rabbits in the clearing, but my friend gently stopped me and pointed. He suggested we slow down a little, so we began walking side by side. He showed me such wonders – the palette of greens in the canopy against the clear summer sky; a pair of darting dragonflies; the gnarled bark of an ancient oak. Slowly I began to notice things myself; each time I paused my friend seemed delighted in my discovery.

At length, we rested, and he surprised me with a cool bottle of water. He knew just what I needed! Slipping off my sandals to enjoy the soft grass, the sun on my face, I drank deeply and felt completely revived. It was a special moment – I wanted it to last forever…

…but time was moving on. It had been such a lovely afternoon that we agreed we must do it again soon. My friend seemed to have all the time in the world; it was I who was unable to find any free time in my diary. He seemed disappointed but I promised to get in touch as soon as I could. I left him leaning against a stile at the end of the path to the woods. When I turned to wave he smiled and lifted a hand, but his expression was unreadable. I put it out of my mind and hurried off to my prayer meeting.

Helen Murray lives in Derbyshire, UK, with her husband and two daughters. A prolific reader and journaller, she writes about life and faith and is has recently resumed work on her first novel.

Explore friendship with Jesus in Transforming Love. Find it – including a free copy of the introduction and first chapter – here.