On the first beautiful spring day of 2015, I woke to an intense sunshine transforming the grungy late March snow into a sparkling carpet.

Just a few more hours of working on the marketing plan for “Dipping Your Toes in Planning Small Group Devotions”  and I’ll be ready for the book launch, I thought as I turned on my computer. “Come play with me!” the sun shouted as it danced across my keyboard. A telemarketer interrupted my work. OK, God, I hear you, I thought. I’ll go for a short walk.

I called my friend in Montreal. “Hi Nancy. It’s Janet,” I said when she answered. “Want to go for a walk?” I heard her confusion in the pause that followed, then laughter.

“With your cell phone, of course. OK,” she said. I envisioned her settling into her rocking chair by the phone.

For the next half hour, we roamed my neighbourhood. “This brilliant sunshine is conquering the snowbanks,” I said. “Tiny muddy lakes are forming everywhere.” I watched two toddlers splashing delightedly. “This reminds me of splashing in the puddles with my grandson, Chris, when he was two,” I said to Nancy. “We both ended up with sodden socks. He was such fun.”

“Now, I’m walking past a clump of white birch, their bare limbs dancing in the breeze. I think they’re celebrating spring, too,” I told my friend.

We had a magnificent walk filled with memories and peace. As I turned back down my street, I said, “Thank you, my friend, for sharing this wonderful walk with me,” I clicked the phone off. Guess there are some good things about these cell phones, I thought and tucked it into my pocket. I opened my door and I prayed. Thank you God for dragging me out of my “fast lane”.

I offer you this advice. Don’t just quote the clichés and think, “Wish I had time.” Take that walk. Give God thanks for creation. Life is about the journey not the destination.

“The heavens declare the glory of God;  the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)