At the end it wasn’t about the destination. It was about winding up exactly where God wants you because you were able to be nudged any which way. For us in particular we ended up in Finisterre. We took some busses, and moved on the turn of a dime, but we got to this “edge of the world” point where we could finally stop.
“Sometimes we are called to dance on the wild edges of our lives and discover something new, or we have a sense that our lives have grown too small so we need to confront our fears of what is unknown, we need to welcome in strangeness to crack open unfamiliar parts of ourselves and of God.” ~ Christine Valters Paintner, on Pilgrimage
I learned that sometimes when you don’t have a plan, God has a better one. Because of this, I will take some beautiful moments with me from this month. And in the simplicity of them is God’s handwriting.
We were able to share a tub of ice cream that was quickly melting as the hot air swept in with a stranger and it make complete sense. We were handed a pile of mushrooms from the garden because Pio, the hostel worker thought our carrot diet wasn’t suffficient. We were taken to see the “tree of life” on a walk through pouring rain and made a delectable dinner by our new friend Daniel. We were able to talk with an adorable Swedish couple. We met some other believers from Germany, who up until us, had met no other people of faith (any faith) on the Camino. We were able to eat with, star gaze, talk, laugh, worship, and be with our new friends for the few days we had there. We went star tripping with strangers, and watched the sunset with hostel workers. We were able to see the reunion of Dreadlock Joe and his passé. I saw fourteen shooting stars as we camped under an open sky on the beach. I saw a supernova. I held a snuggly (although flea infested) cat for hours. We walked through winds and rain to come upon a quaint pilgrims refuge in Santiago where we painted, played guitar and rested from the cold. We drank cafe con leche while telling stories. We ate community dinners with people from all over this small world. We worshipped on rocks. We saw God chasing people, and people who were looking for something more. And at the end of it all we hugged the saint.
So… the Camino ended up being about the release of our plans, the trusting in God to take us to the right places at the right time and to trust His provision, and to rid ourselves of excessive baggage (literally and figuratively). One season was about going, walking, pushing, moving on and on, and growth in the team. While the next was about ‘being’, stillness, simplicity, fellowship, and taking our time.
At the beginning of this journey, I read a letter my dad wrote me and this quote which puts the everyday journey of us and God in perspective:
“Life smooths us, rounds, perfects, as does the river the stone, and
there is no place our Beloved is not flowing through the current’s
force you may not always like.
Our passions help to lift us.
I loved what I could love until I held Him, for then – all things – every world disappeared.”
St.Teresa of Aquila
Thank you for being behind us through injuries, for praying through difficult times with our squad, and for the continual encouragement and support. Sending love and thanks!
-Kiana
