CONNECTIONS: COMPANIONS ON THE WAY

Last weekend Jim and I were eager to hike Meek’s Mountain, but both of us also longed for some solitary reflection time–so we decided to walk the path in opposite directions! And as I walked along in my private contemplation, I felt a sacredness, a holiness in our shared journey. Knowing he was heading toward me on the same path, I sensed our love connecting us through the woods, over the green hills and valleys. We had a happy moment of reunion at the midway point and then continued on in opposite directions, physically apart but tethered in spirit.

Then a few days ago, I stopped by the Valley Park amphitheater to pray again. As soon as I returned home, I received a message from my dear friend Debbie. After reading my earlier post* about praying at the amphitheater, she had also stopped there to pray for me! Her thoughtful gift was certainly a holy moment of friendship and affirmation, especially as my recent reflections had centered on the connections we share in life.

And finally, there was the gracious woman I met on my path a few weeks ago. I had asked her just to see if there was something caught in my eye. She saw there was a gnat and then offered to remove it for me! As I handed her my tissue, she told me that she had been an Emergency Medical Technician, and her name is Karen–the same as mine. We laughed and agreed that our connection was meant to be!

Companions are precious gifts for this journey of life, and all of humanity is connected in more ways than we can comprehend.

There are companions who walk the same path but from different directions and perspectives. Companions who think of us, pray for us, hold us in love on their similar journeys. Companions who come along in our times of need. Companions who once blazed the paths we now follow. Companions who have gone before us, saints with whom we remain eternally connected. Our companions connect with us and help us on our journeys–at times in moments, often through years, and always for eternity.

Our companions in life are essential links in the holy connection of God’s love for us all.

*(Spiritual Spaces, October 1st)

Photo by Karen, Meek’s Mountain