*Post updated May 2024
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always been drawn to the aroma of coffee. I looked forward to the day that I could share in that warm mug experience with my mother, my friends, and eventually my children.
That warm “welcome to your morning” greeting just delighted me. Coffee is a wonderful part of my day and I LOVE meeting for a cup as often as I possibly can.
But, what if we met for a walk, instead of a coffee?
Something sweet happens when you walk through life alongside another. Something happens when you get outdoors and move your body.
“Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5.
Who wants to go for a walk?
Most of us have convenient access, whether it’s walking a local park, a mountain range nearby, a sidewalk in our neighborhood, an indoor shopping mall or a school track. God’s first language was CREATION. He spoke it into being and has created some of the most beautiful outdoor opportunities for us to get out and enjoy life.
Why should you meet up for a walk instead of the coffee shop?
1. You can save money!
Coffee (you could also insert tea, smoothies, juices!) can get pricey.
Walking is FREE!
So, grab your spouse, a girlfriend, a neighbor who needs a listening ear, your four-legged companion, or your stroller with your little blessing strapped in. Get outside and do life with someone at your side.
2. Everyone can do it!
Whether you are walking on two feet, pushing a stroller, rolling in a wheelchair, or walking on prosthetic legs, no one is excluded! Exercise is great “therapy.” There is no prescription required and no ill side effects to deal with. While there are obvious health benefits to walking, such as increased heart, brain and bone health, and it REVs your metabolism, walking is also a great way to connect…with others, with the Lord, and with your own original design.
3. Walking energizes you
While I was certainly AWAKE after all the coffee dates, I wasn’t always AWAKENED in my heart, mind, body, and soul.
Oftentimes, I found them to feel more like an “interview” of asking and responding to the same polite questions…but were we REALLY listening to the answers?
4. Walking relieves stress
Moving our bodies moves thoughts around in our heads. We find that we aren’t the “only one.” (You are never alone). You remember things that you had long forgotten. You work things out, blow-off steam and end up sharing your heart with the people you are walking with, with God, maybe with both? You laugh and you let go of the things you were never meant to carry and you pick up the things that you were intended to.
We all long to be heard, like a parent who just wants their child to listen to them because they have something so good for them to hear. Don’t you think that Jesus, being our GOOD FATHER, does as well?
Debbie Stiles resides in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. She is wife to Todd, Mom to twin daughters, Madison and Maisie (20) and son Ryan (17). She is a Revelation Wellness instructor (Platoon 22) and a humbled daughter of the King, with a heart to love and serve her community through her work with local non-profits, hiking groups, and meal ministries. “I may wander, but I’m not lost.”
Ready to walk? Start here.
The Ultimate Guide to Walking for Fitness has everything you need if you’re just starting a walking routine or you’ve been walking for fitness for years!
Find out about walking safety, how to set walking goals, how to avoid boredom on the treadmill, and MORE!
So, what are you waiting for? Get your walking shoes on and move that good body!
13 Responses
I LOVE this!!
Same!! Such a great way to spend time with friends.
Always blessed to walk with you, especially in our beautiful Smoky mountains!
That sounds lovely! Thanks for reading the blog today!
Debbie, good stuff and one of tHe REASONS i’m an aVid walker/hikeR. Always a pleasure to journey along siDe of yOu.
Thanks for reading, Terri!
This is a beautiful reminder… i love coffee too, but there is something unparralled to being outdoors & i am looking Forward to WALKING With you again! Thanks for posting❤️
I love coffee also! But I definitely think and communicate better when I’m walking and talking!
Love This! Walking has always been my best time with the lord and enjoying his nature! ♥️
Same here, Leigh! I have better conversations when I’m walking and talking.
TOTALLY agree! Do this morw often now.
That is awesome, Sarah! Thanks for reading our blog!