Robyn Rison Chapman Talks 'Ordinary Walks With an Extraordinary God'

I first knew Robyn Rison Chapman in her former capacity as an editor and journalist with Huntington, W.Va.’s The Herald-Dispatch, where she won several Press Association awards.

She was excited to learn about traveling the world and exposing her readers of the tri-state (W.Va/Ohio/Ky.) to it. Born in Kentucky, she now lives with her husband of over two decades and two sons in southern Ohio. Chapman has a degree in journalism from Marshall University, site of the heartbreaking true story captured in the movie, “We Are Marshall.”

In 2019, she went through major transitions when her father died and she had left the newspaper. Chapman started her blog, www.hopeanyway.com that same year and began working on her new book after that: Ordinary Walks With an Extraordinary God: Fifty-Two Devotions to Keep You in Step.

She started walking on the advice of her doctor and transformed her health, shape and relationship with God.

Chapman is an active member of Trinity Church of God where she has also taught Sunday School and led Bible Studies for many years. She grew up in church and has been a Christian since her early teens.

Chapman considers her faith the most important aspect of her life. During this time of Passover and Holy Week, it was great to speak to her about this subject. I interviewed Chapman by telephone.

I wondered how long it took her walks to become focused on the Word of God in the Bible.

“Initially, I just started for the exercise. It was ‘quiet time’, prayer time, particularly after my dad passed away. Somewhere in that process, it just began to shift my mind. A Scripture reference would come to me, it happened often. I would get a clear message.”

I mentioned to Chapman that I was surprised to read that she listened to music while she walks; I wanted to know more about that.

“I do not always listen to music. The doctors recommended that I stick to walking for my knees. I don’t like to hear my knees pop! I’ll listen to podcasts, secular, Christian music or just quiet time.”

Chapman walks alone. “It’s been just me, mostly. Some people say, ‘No, you walk too fast for me, I’ll just slow you down.’ Or they’re worried that it will interfere with my time with God.”

I asked Chapman her thoughts on the emerging concept of the metaverse.

“I don’t love everything that tech companies do. As an author, you have to be open to technology (though).” It goes against her grain to be walking in a tech-created heaven. “I’ve got a job to do while I’m here!”

In her book, she describes herself as “ordinary,” but she has a powerful influence that belies that sentiment. “We are all unique. Everyone. We are all ordinary in the same way. Much of my writing was coming out of grief. God jumped into my ordinary life in ordinary ways. I didn’t go to seminary. I didn’t do a 40 day fast in the wilderness, I didn’t speak at an arena.”

I wondered if Chapman had had any false starts or if she was gung-ho from the beginning.

“I was mostly gung-ho from the beginning. I want to go! I began to look forward to that time. Physical exercise is clearly a benefit. It stimulates my mind. There’s nothing that taking a walk won’t help!”

Knowing that sometimes people working from home don’t get the same respect for their time as when commuting — that extra demands are made of them — I asked if she experienced that.

“Yeah, I think so. I spent 17 years in an office, had children. I had to take care of my dad. Pre-COVID, people asked (at her children’s school), ‘Can you volunteer?’”

Talking to Chapman about history books that recount Americans walking vast distances — to pass time, to go to school or town — I asked her if she thought that the lack of time alone has had a bad effect on society.

“Yes, in fact, I do. It’s bad for our health. We’re not as mentally sharp, emotionally sharp, spiritually sharp.”

I wanted Chapman to talk about the power of prayer, at a tumultuous time in the world when people might wonder what one person can do.

“I know some of these people. We blame everything on God, instead of Satan. Sin is in the world. Prayer is very real and very powerful. You have to pray in God’s way.”

Thank you, Robyn, for your inspiring words!