08/23/2026
โJust Walk With Himโ
It was my first week working at a wilderness therapy program in the Arizona forest.
Driving toward camp, we passed a teenage boy walking away from his group. The staff member driving stopped and said, โSheldon, I need you to get out.โ
โWhat am I supposed to do?โ
โJust walk with him.โ
I caught up with him and, having no idea what else to say, asked, โWhere are we headed?โ
Looking toward the ground, with a Southern accent, he answered:
โTexas.โ
We were in Arizona.
I looked at the little gear we had and said, โAlright. Whatโs our plan?โ
We walked and talked. That night we dry camped without a fire, eating dried fruit and seeds. By evening, he was laughing and telling me stories about home.
The next day, we rejoined his group for a fresh start.
Years later, I realized something about the words Iโd used.
Not, โWhere are YOU going?โ
But, โWhere are WE headed?โ
Not your plan.
Our plan.
Those words put us on the same team.
Walking with someone doesnโt mean agreeing with where theyโre headed. Sometimes it simply means meeting them where they are and making sure they donโt have to walk through it alone.
Sometimes thatโs what someone needs most.
Just walk with themโthrough the laughter and through the tears.
โSheldon Nelson
