Pathways to Purpose: One Woman's Walk of Faith on the Harriett Tubman ByWay
In today’s news cycles we are inundated with tragic stories. We regularly hear reports of people doing terrible things and often on very large scales. This could lead you to believe that we live in a godless and therefore hopeless world. In my first featured post, I want to tell the story of a young African American woman who did a great thing on a small scale. Her story won't be told nationally, except by those of you who read this and pass it on to others, but it remains a story worth telling. In life we all must physically walk alone at times but where we place our faith and focus determines our path. Let's walk with Mashona on her pathway to purpose.
Inspiration
Mashona is a self-described adventure seeker who is sometimes inspired to action by the visions that God reveals to her. Often her creative side beckons her to create vision boards that help her set goals for the year to come; thereby taking the first step of bringing the subconscious into reality. For her latest adventure she had images of 'walking and following a path'. "There may be obstacles on your path for any journey, but we have to keep moving forward on this path", she said. With that in mind, not knowing what the path would be, she began training in January of 2017 by walking five miles per day while waiting for God's clarity on her next adventure. Through a friend, or via divine inspiration, the 125-mile Harriet Tubman Byway was revealed and caught her interest. Mashona is not an outdoor rookie and her past experiences would prove to be essential. Approximately two years ago she completed the Selma to Montgomery walk by herself. That was a precursor and a foundation upon which to build and prepare for this journey. Mashona had spent much of her early professional career working with kids in the outdoors. She coordinated outdoor activities like weeks long backpacking experiences in the Big Horn mountains, Appalachian Trail and other places. However, this journey would be a little different and therefore a few things needed to be sorted out.
Preparation
Now that it was time to put a plan together, she began scouting. She reached out to the Harriet Tubman Visitor Center and soon finds out that ‘no one has done this before’ but that would prove to be a minor point. Mashona says, "An unexpected outpouring of generosity from strangers in support of this journey was mind-blowing". People from the various visitor/historic centers (Dorchester and Caroline County) stepped up and helped her lay the groundwork for this walk and helped establish connections with the folks in the surrounding communities. She said, “Things just fell into place and I felt at ease. This feeling of comfort and peace confirmed, ‘Yes, I'm supposed to do this.’” Then, it was time to hit the road.
The Journey
Mashona said she "didn't have any doubts that she could complete the journey but had a 'healthy concern' about doing so many miles in one day". Again, she was struck by how many people showed up with physical and emotional support by bringing water and encouragement. By the 2nd day, passers by would drive up, get out, take a picture, offer a hug and come alongside her in support of her journey. Moments of fatigue were bolstered by the encouragement of others. One example came on a day where she was really tired after doing so many miles in the heat. A stranger stops to encourage her and give her a cold bottle of water. "I was at my lowest point and I just cried" she said. " I never intended to quit it just wasn't an option but when I was at my lowest God provided". In another instance she told me about a moment when she saw a person waiting ahead of her as she was walking across a bridge. She was greeted by a woman who never spoke a word verbally but was holding three items in her hands. She was holding a bottle of water, a note that she was hearing impaired and a notecard with the sign language representation for ' I love you' and #FreedomWalk2017 #NewGenPraiser. While it should not matter, I do want to point out that those who stepped up along her journey were from various backgrounds which again shows that at the core, we have more in common than what the news cycles portray. There were many other acts of kindness that she experienced along the way. I asked her if she ever felt fearful or had any concerns as a young woman. After all, we've seen that there are a lot of folks in the world that don't value the lives of others. She said, "I didn't think of myself as a woman doing this, but as a child of God and I believed in his provision and protection". She added "Don't let other people's fears become yours". I agree. Move forward, overcome your fears, cautiously but with certainty.
The Take-Aways
Mashona understands that on her walk she wasn't leading slaves to freedom, but she was honoring the work of the past that allowed her to take this journey under much different circumstances. She knows that the same God that carried Mrs. Tubman forward propelled her forward. The God that made provision for our ancestors seeking freedom, so many years ago, also provided encouragement and shelter for Mashona on her walk of faith. Same message, different messenger.
I too believe that God is always with us. We are never alone spiritually even though we may physically walk alone at times. He will make provisions and send the encouragement we need to keeping moving if we are on a Pathway to Purpose.
So, on this Thanksgiving, let us all take a moment to give things for the great things in life, those that have come before us and the obstacles we encounter daily. Consider that those obstacles may simply be stepping stones on your own personal pathway to purpose.
Please go to and like Mashona’s Facebook page 'NewGenPraiser' to get a more in-depth look at her walk along the byway, see some of her commentary along the way and find out about her next adventure.
Thank you to Mashona for collaborating with me and allowing me to tell her inspiring story. Be inspired.
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