😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you. While on our Spain trip, we had a couple days before and after our time on the Camino to be a tourist. I enjoyed seeing some sights, learning new things, and especially hanging out with Brian and getting to know our new friends, but I realized rather quickly, I’m not crazy about doing touristy things. I’m not one that likes to shop and it’s challenging to hear God in all the noise and time schedule hustle. I was ready and looking forward to our hike.
Over all, we did pretty well, but our more experienced bodies…(That sounds better than older bodies, right?)…were feeling pain and discomfort in places we’ve never felt before. Going uphill hurt. Going downhill hurt. One of our new friends put it this way…I love flat ground. It’s my friend.
As our fabulous guide instructed us each evening, in preparation for our next day’s adventure, “Walkie, walkie. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down….” She wasn’t kidding. It’s very possible that I’m not remembering this completely correct, but it sure seemed like each day started with a decent uphill leg. It’s a good thing the weather was in the 50’s and 60’s. Hitting those hills, it didn’t take long for our bodies to heat up.
As I reflect on this journey, I’ve come to realize this wasn’t just a long walk I took. This Camino is a reflection of my entire life. The many ups and downs, with limited flats. Passing others and being passed. Water closet breaks, meal breaks, and first aid stops. Accepting and receiving help. Offering help. Being an individual. Being with family. Building friendships. Being part of the Camino community and part of the much larger Catholic community. Walking and talking with random people and groups along the trail. Brief encounters and journeying for short and longer seasons. Reminiscing on the past, creating memories in the moment, and planning for the future. Getting that last hug in, before parting ways. Knowing the destination you are living for and walking toward and experiencing the incredible joy of arriving and seeing your family and friends there cheering you on.
About 30 minutes or so into our Camino Day 3 hike, one of our new friends and fellow pilgrims had health issues and ended up being hospitalized. We didn’t see her for 4 days. When we finally saw her again, she was standing in the square, in front of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, our final Camino destination. I was so excited to see her and gave her a big hug! Seriously, that is what I want my final destination reception to be with Christ.
Bless others and be blessed.
Shelly :0)
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#PatrickMayberry – Lead on Good Shepherd
Third Day Devotions 