This story begins with many worries as I was one of the biggest worriers of all time. I worried my boys wouldn’t wake in the morning when I laid them down to sleep. I worried about their grades. I worried my son may not make it back home safe when he left in his car. I worried about my sons’ disappointments when they didn’t receive an award. I worried my boys would get hurt on the football field. I worried we may not have enough money to pay the bills. I worried my marriage was destined to fail. And, the list goes on and on.
One day I made a decision to leave my worries behind…so I thought. I left home with a couple of ladies from my church one Thursday in March. I was told to leave everything behind, including my cell phone. I would have no contact with the outside for three full days. My spiritual journey began when I joined 50 other women on the Walk of Emmaus. Now, I can tell you I was somewhat worried as that was my nature. I worried about the anger on my husband’s face as I left. I worried about spending the next 72 hours with a group of ladies I didn’t know. I also worried about life when I returned home, as I would be missing my husband’s birthday.
After we arrived and the staff served us a wonderful dinner, friends and family departed; the Walk of Emmaus was underway. I never knew complete strangers could love and serve others so deeply. They served meals, provided snacks, comforted us through the tears, and showed us the love of Jesus. They were true pilgrims sent to us from the Lord above. Every day we learned more and more about God’s mercy and grace; complete strangers sharing laughter and tears. One day I hoped to love like them.
Then, the turning point came on Saturday night. We were challenged to select a burden from our life and lay it down at the foot of the cross. I chose to lay my “worries” down at the foot of the cross and turn this burden over to Jesus. I prayed fiercely for relief from my worry. As I wadded up the paper where I had written the word “worry” and laid it at the cross, a huge relief came over me. It was as though God, himself, was lifting my burdens from my shoulders, and suddenly I knew what Jesus meant when he spoke of the gushing inside of us as we accept his “living water”.
No words could precisely describe the three day Walk of Emmaus. The only way to truly understand what this walk encompassed would be for you to take this journey with Jesus. The gift I received that weekend ranked right at the top with the birth of my three boys. For years, I had burdened myself with worry, which reduced many happy moments to days of doom. And, of course, the extreme worry and stress led to unhealthy relationships as we take our frustrations out on the people we love. The walk gave me hope that one day my family would know the meaning of a happy home.
At last, the fourth day arrived, which is when we return home to family. The spiritual leaders warned that we may have changed during the past 72 hours, but our life at home would still be the same. The fourth day was up to us…to be the change regardless of our circumstances. On that final day, I made a commitment to worship with God, to serve my family even when it hurts and to share my love with family, friends and even strangers.
By Jeanette Lytle