The long walk

No it's not a post about the Robert Bachman ( Stephen King) Book. although I enjoyed that book in a weird creepy kind of way. I just thought of that book when I went walking the dog this morning and thought it was a good title :)
I took my dog for a long walk today. And the further away from our house we got the better I felt in terms of out look and attitude. I was getting fresh air, I wasn't so consumed with all the difficult stuff going on back at home. I was feeling free. I had my ipod going, I'm sure the birds were chirping, I could have, in fact I even wanted to walk all the way into town. I just didn't want to stop walking.
 It felt good.
But my boys were all at home waiting for me. So across the road and back we started. And as we started the long walk back I began to feel "it" ( ha not the Stephen King movie that gave me nightmares for years and still creeps me out) but the feeling of dread. I did not want to go home and face anything. Not the van troubles, not the child troubles, not the blame, not the emotional roller coaster. none of it. But I did.
I am of the teaching that we don't quit on our families. that we don't give up on our faith. That it is a choice. Stick it out or walk out. I am choosing to stick it out.
Which s why it is so frustrating when you see other people choosing to walk out. Do they think it's better out there alone? How do you expect to be able to commit to anything if you can't commit to family?  I was so moved this morning by the lyrics of the jars of clay song Shelter during my walk and I think they sum i up nicely.
"Shelter"
(feat. Brandon Heath)

To all who are looking down
Holding on to hearts still wounding
For those who've yet to find it
The place is near where love is moving
Cast off the robes you're wearing
Set aside the names that you've been given
May this place of rest in the fold of your journey
Bind you to hope
You will never walk alone

In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (Never walk alone)
In the shelter of each other
We will live
We will live (Your arms are all around us)

If our hearts are turned to stone
There is hope we know the rocks will cry out
And the tears aren't ours alone
Let them fall into the hands that hold us
Come away from where you're hiding
Set aside the lies that you've been living
May this place of rest in the fold of your journey
Bind you to hope
We will never walk alone

We will never walk alone. Such powerful words for our hearts to hear today. As we walked together into our church surrounded by each other. People who care who when are hurting have someone there to help, and yet when they are strong they share that strength.  

Yep we will choose to hang out in the shelter for this season!