Walking the Talk, Talking the Walk

Well, we've had some great weather here recently and that afforded Barb and I the opportunity to clean up the veritable forest that is our backyard and to trip the front hedges--ah, yes, there is a porch over there. It's good to work hard physically like that, because let's face it--pastoral work rarely involves heavy lifting unless it's one of those big honkin' family bibles that I grew up with.

As we were outside a few of our neighbors were out too so I decided to walk over and chat. I have learned a lot from that very basic thing--walk over, introduce self, ask questions, offer help with anything and then leave. Of course, the first few steps out of my yard, across the street and up there short drive has a tinge of anxiety; especially if they see you coming and watch you all the way over.

Two weeks ago this couple (90 and 85 years respectively) celebrated their 69th anniversary. That would've made them 21 and 15 on their wedding day back in 1935. They've lived on our block for 35 years. They know almost the entire history of our entire block, as all of the houses were built in 1912. They know the newbies who've moved in--us included. They know who is sick and who needs a bit more help than anyone else. I look to them as our informers. It's good to be a learner, to place myself under another person for a bit.

Several times a week we take Matches for a long walk around the neighborhood. We've met so many people and have had several great coversations. It's amazing what we have learned and seen by simply walking around and waving a people.

Ya know, I think that it could just be that being in the yard, sitting on the porch or simply walking the block could be the best way to get to know others. In the NT the various writers refer to life as a walk. You probably already know this but one particular word (parapateo--literally, "walking around") was used it represented all the activities that a person does in their everyday life. You can check these out in 1 Cor. 7:17; Colossians 2:6; Romans 6:4, 8:4, 13:12 and others. God is seen as walking (or being active) in our lives as 2 Corinthians 6:16 says, "I will dwell in them and walk about them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

So, I can't do a lot of things, sometimes out of fear and sometimes out of ignorance. But I think I can walk over and simply talk to people, offer help, tell them about myself and have them over for coffee or a meal. And as I walk I am to scout for ways that God is already active in their lives. That to me is beautiful and good. It simplifies it for me--no list of things to remember, no script, no pretense, no establishing myself as the authority figure in the relationship. Nope, just plain walking the talk, and talking the walk, and, well, walking and talking. Can it really be this simple?