A Walk In The Park - Carolyn Thigpen

Finally! A wonderful day for a walk at the park. 2021. Day 2. Now it’s already day 3. How is it possible? Did we really make it out of 2020? Will 2021 be any better?

If we listen to newscasters, we’ll bury our heads and never want to come up. If we forget Who is in charge, we’ll hide inside, or at least inside ourselves, and hope to avoid all disease and conflict, every hurt and pain that we possibly can avoid. Thankfully, there is a better way.

January 2nd was a good day. All was as well as possible in my little world. I had done as much putting away and organizing of “things” that I could stand. And a walk at the park was calling. That’s where it hit me. The joy of the LORD is my strength! It’s not that I didn’t already know this truth. But sometimes I really, really need to be reminded!

This year will be accomplished one day at a time. Each morning I will need to remind myself Jesus is my Light and my Strength, my Hope and my Joy. When there is time, I’ll take a walk at the park for that extra reminder that our Creator is in control no matter how things here appear. And His joy will be my strength. Not only does the Almighty give us life, He gives us peace…and He gives us joy.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me. Bless His holy name!”

I hope that whenever you are able, you will take the time to get outside and enjoy our Father’s art work. Every season is different. Every day is different. For that matter, as I walked today, every few minutes was different! The sun was hidden; then the sun shone. The sky looked gray; then the sky was a soft blue. And so 2021 will be. Each month, week, day…every moment for that matter…we may see a change in the scenery. But the same righteous Creator is ruling His Kingdom through it all.

Remember the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah? “And He shall reign forever and ever!” THAT is what will get me up each morning with joy. Even on days when there is sadness here, there is joy knowing that my LORD’s Kingdom is now and will be forever. The kingdoms of men will come and go. But we have the hope and promise of a far better Kingdom ruled righteously and forever. THAT truth, remembered, gives great hope, peace, and joy.

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees; oh hear the angel voices. Oh night divine, oh night, when Christ was born. Oh night divine, oh night, oh holy night.”

Christ, the One whose birth we have just celebrated, the promised Messiah, God incarnate, Immanuel, is God with us! Just because we have flipped the calendar does not mean we are alone. The same Jesus who came as a babe, also walked in our shoes, took the penalty for us with His death on the cross, was separated from the Father in my place so I never have to be separated from Him again. Ever. We may walk on some rough roads here, but He walks with us if we let Him.

If you have time, enjoy a walk through the park via my photos. Look at the changes in the short time period I was there. And remember that through whatever changes come in 2021, our gracious Father is still faithful and good, ruling HIs Kingdom with righteousness and truth, giving hope, peace, and joy to those who want to walk with Him. Blessings in your 2021!