From August to November, I walked in one park, a sprawling one with many trails, paved and wooded. I’d see the same few people each morning at 7 and we nodded and greeted each other. One of them, a friendly retired man was trying to take a picture of wild turkeys one day. His phone wasn’t cooperating so I tried to help. From then on, “Bob” always stopped me on the trail to talk and finally even suggested that we walk together.
This began to affect my walks. I had to go at 7am because of work, but I didn’t want to see Bob, so I stayed on the back trail where I knew he didn’t go. If I did run into him, he’d ask where I had been, if I was hiding from him.
Finally one day I turned to God. I said, “Lord, I have been enjoying these walks with You so much, but now they’re becoming less about ‘us’ and more about avoiding Bob! I’m disappointed and don’t know what to do.” Some answers come quicker than others.
There is another park nearby I hadn’t considered. It’s called by a different name now, but I always knew it as Bethel Mill Park. After I prayed on the path that day, I went home and turned on a Christian show while I made coffee. I heard these words as the television came on: Go to Bethel! The preacher was talking about Bethel, the place where Jacob went to hear from God. I knew I’d heard from God right there in my kitchen and I started walking with Him at Bethel the very next day. He answers my prayers.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
Meeting God at the Park 