George is a gentleman who walks within a 5 mile radius of the neighborhood my parents have lived in for several years, in a suburb of Illinois. He lives about 4 doors down from my parents. 

Ever since my folks moved to this neighborhood, there was George. I’ve seen him walk in winter, spring, summer and fall….consistently.

Well, I may as well “spill the beans” now about my fascination with George and his walks. You see, George doesn’t walk erect as most of us do, he is bent forward as his normal posture allows, and as he walks from a bent position, he doesnt go all the way up to a full standing position. So if you can imagine starting half way and just going almost midway up and back down, is how he walks. It’s a rhythmic walk of up and down. 

There is a medical condition he was diagnosed with in his 20’s. From what I’m told, he will never get better. My Dad told me years ago he’s seen mild improvements over the years in his posture, but George keeps walking, diligently.

So what can be so intriguing to me about a man and his walks?  You see, George walks in pain.

So the question comes to me; ‘why would a person continue to walk in pain with no guarantee of ever getting better’? 

I’m not sure, but here begins my post. 

As humans, we are prone to comfort and ease. (It’s not a knock,) it’s a common trait among humans. We want it ‘not too hot”, ‘not too cold’ but ju-u-u-st right…. perfect!

It’s rare that I’m willing to wait in long lines at the market, restaurant or a short handed bank teller line if given the choice. I’ve been conditioned to a fast paced life. I don’t know about you but, I’ve been spoiled by more speed, faster, quicker internet, etc. Amazon provides some items the same day for folks who can’t or would rather not wait. The list goes on.

With all our conveniences today one wonders how our predecessors ever made it? They feared things in their day, and we have anxiety in ours, but some of the things I may grapple over today, barely qualifies to have anxiety over it at all. 

In the 1940s and 1950s, people often feared the threat of nuclear war and the potential devastation it could bring. This fear was pervasive during the Cold War era, especially heightened during events like the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. 

Today, while concerns about nuclear war still exist, many people also experience anxiety over issues like climate change, cyber attacks, and global pandemics, and other societal fears. 

I hasten to say, I don’t make light of anyone’s misfortune or things that trigger anxiety for them, however there are those who have everything and still worry themselves into oblivion! To me, this prevents one from acknowledging just how good they have it, and the countless people that would LOVE to trade places.

To see someone like George, while given no favorable prognosis of ever getting better and walking in pain leaves me compelled to salute him. 

There was a man in bible times who’s name was Enoch.(Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5) Enoch, similar to George, was known for walking but he walked with God…. that’s all, he walked. Bible history records he walked so well with God, he disappeared, God actually took him! This was NOT a bad thing, it was actually great because God saw Enoch’s consistent and pure walk and said, ‘Enoch, your walking days are over now, come rest with me’.

I can’t say whether George is walking with God or not, but I’m certain God is walking with him! Maybe his walks may not lead to a disappearing act like Enoch in his case, but maybe God left him here as a witness and even a reminder of God’s goodness to me, and how things don’t necessarily have to be as good as they are.

While George doesn’t walk for show, it’s hard not to notice him, and knowing a little more of him from my limited periphery than before, who’s to say that God may have left him here as a reminder to be thankful and how it might be time to replace an occasional gripe with gratitude…..thank you for the lesson George, see you on the trail.

anablepsis.