Walk Slowly

Life is busy. When the household includes children, it can move from busy to hectic in a hurry. Knowing she had three children, I paused when a friend shared why she had chosen to slow down. "Love is spelled t-i-m-e," she shared, and explained that to a child, "Hurry up" could communicate "You're not important, I don't love you very much." This is true for many adults as well.

"Hurry up, we're late."

"Let's move, we're going to miss it."

"Can't you please be on time for once?"

"You're not finished yet? Here, just let me do it."

It's so easy to speak like this when we're in a hurry, but what are we communicating? Whether intentional or not, our words and actions tell whether we're more interested in appearances and accomplishment than in people.

Just think of the difference when someone says, “It’s okay, we’ll wait for you.” “I’m so glad we took time to meet today.” “Thanks for making time.”

A professor once shared with our class how, as busy as he was, he learned to intentionally walk slowly across campus. Previously he’d almost trot from one classroom to another. Others saw him so hurried and assumed he had no time for a question or conversation. When he walked slowly, however, students and staff would approach to walk with him. Valuable conversations were shared and lives were touched. Therefore, he now chooses to walk slowly, inviting interaction, relationship, and friendship.

How often do we “walk slowly,” inviting our family and friends into conversation, communicating our love by taking time to listen and to share life? How might slowing down deepen the connection within your family today?

Lord, so often I have places to go, people to see, things to do. Sometimes my hurry gets in the way of really connecting with others. Help me to love others well by taking time to be present, to be with those around me today. Give me wisdom to know where to invest my time. I’ll never live this day again, so I ask You to guide me today. Amen.

Additional Resource: The Power of Encouragement.