Jesus is with You—A Walking Cane Named Esther

Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 NIV

Tears filled my eyes when the doctor said he wanted me to use a cane 24/7—the time had come. After several falls, he said no more chances could be taken. He saw the tears. “Put some pearls on it - bling it up – it is better than breaking a bone,” he said, trying to cheer me up. I managed to smile through the tears.

I felt stupid crying over a cane while I was sitting in a hospital where people were dealing with much more difficult problems. Some people were saying goodbye to a loved one, others were facing serious surgeries, and I was crying over a walking cane.

The cane seemed like just one more loss of independence for me in a series of losses.

Frustration filled me —everything was happening too fast. Are people going to treat me differently? I prayed, “Lord, this illness is more than I can handle. Is a walker next? Or a wheelchair? – what’s happening here? I know you have a plan—I don’t understand.” 

That night, I opened my Bible, and it landed on Esther. As I began to read the book of Esther, I thought – Esther is what I am naming my cane. Esther had the wisdom and courage to face the unknown, have faith, and trust in God with each step. Even though God was never mentioned in the book, He was present throughout in Esther’s actions.

Maybe the cane, instead of being my enemy, was God’s way of showing me that I wasn’t alone in my daily walk, that He was by my side each step.

God used what I saw as a challenge as an opportunity to show me He is with me wherever I go—steadying my steps and giving me strength.

Mitzie Avera