Walking With A Cane

On a recent walk, Pete and I passed a couple walking the opposite direction around a beautiful pond. In the fleeting moments that it took to nod a greeting, we noticed that the man (I’m assuming the husband) was walking slightly behind his wife, relying heavily on a cane, and exerting much effort to keep his awkward, stilted gait on the path. The quick interchange only gave us time to draw the conclusion that his difficulty with walking was not age-related but rather likely from a condition or disease affecting his ability to control his muscles and movement.

As we passed, I interrupted our previous conversation, by whispering, “When the time comes that I have to walk with a cane, will you go with me and make sure I don’t fall?” I was sincerely seeking a genuine response because I was sobered by the thought of what the future might hold.

Pete answered, already reading my mind and possibly thinking the same thing for himself. “I WILL walk with you. And I’ll make you go for a walk even when you don’t want to. Or when you think you’re too much trouble. Or that everyone will be staring at you. And…I’ll do your make-up, and flat-iron your hair, although I’d probably just burn you, so I’ll put your hair into a pony tail…(pause)…but it will most likely be crooked.” He said it all lightheartedly, but he meant it. The entire sentiment of it.

A few Sundays earlier, Pete had preached a sermon on how a marriage is a partnership where both serve and sacrifice for each other. However, he has also lived that sermon in so many ways for the past 3 decades. In those years we have joked about how we will help the other if we fall ill, get injured, or show signs of aging, but the truth is that the daily acts of being attuned to each other and caring for each other’s needs have sealed the promise…  A promise made on a wedding day, pregnant with hope and adventure, the promise kept on days when work was a failure, arguments ensued with the kids, the washer stopped working, we made an unexpected trip to the emergency room, the checking account was empty…you get the picture.

As sobering as a brief encounter with strangers can be, there is really no need to worry about the future. There is already a track record in place. The truth is, we don’t know what the future holds. We may both need a cane at the same time. Or…Pete may be gone before I ever even need a cane. Misusing our imaginations to breed worry or fret is just not wise – or spiritual.

This is such a picture of God – and his track record is perfect! He tells us that he holds the future, and He won’t leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6).  Life experiences have proven that God will provide the grace – when the grace is needed. In our limited vision, we tend to want the grace now – to relieve the wild imagination, the anxiety – to make sure we have contingency plans for everything. That’s really just us trying to be in control.

Here’s the thing…  My past experiences with Pete tell me that he will make good on his word and be a loving support through difficult times. The same is true with the Lord. I can trust that whatever scary thing may be lurking in the future, He will show up. He will supernaturally provide grace and “the peace that passes all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7)