Enjoying The Stops Along The Way

Walks with my son look a lot different these days, and honestly, it’s been an adjustment.

Up until now, my son would be perfectly content to sit in his stroller when we went for a walk. I’d strap him in, set the pace, and he’d be along for the ride.

But when he took his first steps, walks changed completely. He started asking to get out of the stroller and walk on his own, which meant going at his own pace instead of mine. A pace that included lots of stops—stops every few steps to look at a leaf, pick up a rock, or stomp on a patch of grass.

At first, I’ll admit, the stops made me impatient. We were on a walk, the whole point of which, for me, was walking. Constant movement.

But then, I asked myself some questions that totally shifted my perspective:

“Why are you getting so impatient when he wants to stop? Isn’t it possible to enjoy some stops along the way? What if some of the best parts of our walks could be hidden in the stops?”

On our next walk, I decided to try embracing each stop. He’d stop to check out a leaf, and I’d take a minute to admire it with him, along with the changing trees all around us. He’d stop to collect a rock, and I’d pause to soak in the sun, take a breath, and thank God for His amazing creation all around me.

I started to let myself enjoy the stops, rather than itching to get through them, and with that shift, found some truly beautiful moments with my son and with the Lord.

And it hit me that it’s possible to approach stops in life the same way.

Sudden stops, stalled progress, and derailed plans all come our way eventually. But they come to us from the hand of a sovereign, loving God who knows exactly what we need. We don’t have to tap our feet, waiting impatiently to get back to the “good part” or back to the “point.” Because He has goodness and intention for us in everything He sends our way.

So, the next time you find yourself forced to stop when you want to keep going, ask God what He has for you there. Because maybe the stop isn’t the setback you think it is. Maybe it’s a chance to pause, breathe, and receive something good from Him, right where you are.