I am not going to lie, the first day of the Camino was rough. We were walking right next to a highway, so all I could think about was getting into a car and driving in 30 minutes what it would take me 3 hours to walk. I went to the Lord to gain a better perspective.
We started to meet people, hear their stories, and get to share our own stories with them. So many people from all kinds of countries and backgrounds come to walk this path, and so many of them are searching for something. They are walking because they lost someone, or they’re looking for direction or purpose in their lives. They’re going on a spiritual journey, looking for forgiveness or just simply an adventure.
For me, I am learning even more that it’s not about the end destination, but about the journey along the way and the people you get to meet. I am learning to stay focused when I am talking to the Lord and not to get distracted with the things around me. I am also learning to share my story with the people I am meeting about this year.
I began to love the time on the Camino because of the people I get to spend it with. Not going to lie, some days are rougher then others, like when you walk downhill almost all day and your knees are screaming at you. But it’s learning to turn to the Lord to give you strength to keep on walking.
I’ve met non-believers and christians, both. And I’ve gotten to hear the stories about their individual journeys. The part of walking the Camino I love most, is the community of having dinners together at the end of the night or meeting someone new at a cafe and getting into a really good conversation. You really get to know people and start to notice those around you who are doing the same thing you are. I have enjoyed getting to share with people why I would choose to go on this trip and also being up lifted by the other believers I met along the tail. It has been a really cool experience getting to do this and also pushing myself to do something I would not normally do. But on top of that I get to spend time with God, getting to ask questions and reflect about this year.
I am not going to lie, in America we can get so busy going from place to place, but can miss the people next to us. I am learning that I may have a place I am trying to get to, but I should be looking around at the people next to me that I can interact and start conversations with. I am leaning its not about getting to the place, but about what it takes to get there. To not be so focused on just my task but to let the Lord lead me. To SLOW DOWN and take my time getting there. I want to take all of these things I have learned here and apply them in my life back in America. To not get to busy I forget to enjoy the journey.
