You'll Never Walk Alone

Went for a walk today.
Decided to listen to the tunes I had on my phone (which my brother had loaded for me) rather than take the "extra" mp3. So glad I did.
Bryn Terfel. Singing "You'll Never Walk Alone"

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone

I realized on that path, heavy with the scent of warmed ferns and ripe salmon berries, that I had company. I wasn't alone. Nor had I ever been. Nor would I be in the unknown future.
Not a particularly brilliant observation to those who walk with Jesus Christ, but a tangible reassurance at a time when I needed to know: He is with me. 
 This put me in mind of another song, a favorite since I was a young girl:

I NEVER WALK ALONE 
Words & Music by Alfred H Ackley 

Verse 1 
I never walk alone, I have the Saviour, 
Who walks beside me everywhere I go; 
My heart rejoices in His loving favor, 
And all who will His saving grace may know. 

Chorus 
I never walk alone, Christ walks beside me, 
He is the dearest Friend I've ever known, 
With such a Friend to comfort and to guide me, 
I never, no, I never walk alone. 

Verse 2 
I never walk alone, in stormy weather, 
When winds of trouble sweep about my head; 
I know I'm safe, because we are together, And 'round me His protecting love is spread. 


Hope in the heart is good. Jesus is much much better. 
A real person. Powerful, loving, delightful and pure. 
I am so glad to have Him to lean on. This path has stretched further than I imagined it could. This path has been full of bumps and surprises that were unexpected and, yes, disappointing.
I don't know how far I have to go still.
Perhaps I will be white haired and hobble, like the woman I passed along the way today, before I finish this trail of life. 
We cannot know the answer to that simple question, "When will we get there?"
But we can begin to walk with Him today.
He, who is our "there!"
He is where I am heading. And He walks with me now. So I don't need to hurry and get it over with. I can enjoy His company and begin to know and enjoy the ending before it's begun...
Happily. Ever. After.