I really hate losing things, such as my passport. I also hate when things are stollen. Overall, I think I can forgive people pretty easily in my heart, but when it comes to misplacing something or having something stollen from me, I’ve noticed (especially this year) that I have a hard time forgiving myself and others. Mostly because it did me no good to lose it and I can’t stand others taking things that don’t belong to them. Typically in hard situations, I try to be optimistic, look at the bright side, find something I can be thankful about, or find a lesson I’ve learned from it. But still losing something that belongs to me irks me the most!
This year I’ve lost a number of things, some that were intentionally stollen; such as my phone in month one, my chacos in month five, and a handful of my favorite clothes items. Unfortunately, I’ve now misplaced my passport, a camino book I just bought, and the only pens I had with me during this two-week trekking trip.
Now, before you panic, know that I WILL be coming home as planned. I’m not stuck in Spain. I just may not be able to get my official certificate in Santiago for hiking the Camino this month. I lost my camino passport, or my credentials as some would call it, where I get stamps for every pilgrim stop along the way to prove we have hiked at least the last 100km. Thankfully, my actual passport was not still in that ziplock bag that fell out of my pocket somewhere last night. ‘Twas just a few memorabilia for the past two weeks.
As I’m walking this morning, listening to worship music and kinda wrestling in my heart about it, I asked myself, what good can I take from losing this? What can I be grateful for through this? Because I hate feeling this way and would rather feel optimistic and back to my normal happy demeanor.
Well, one thing I can be thankful for is a little less weight to carry in my pack today. As little as it was, every ounce does add up when you are carrying everything you need for two weeks on your back …like a turtle carrying his house (if only I could hide inside when I need a little nap). Then Holy Spirit reminds me about the time I prayed for my shoe thief back in Nepal. Even in this situation, I can hope and pray that someone will find it, maybe look up my name and read my testimonies of God’s goodness. I kept some notes in my little booklet too, mostly just logistical things and facts like how many miles I walked each day. But I also kept track of the people with whom I talked, the faith-building podcasts to which I listened, and how the blisters on my feet were healed. So, my prayer is that whoever finds my ziplock bag will open it and read those encouraging notes, and somehow it will plant a seed of faith in their own heart. Their heart which probably drove them to do the Camino in search of something more meaningful anyways.
The Lord also reminded me about the testimonies I have shared from past experiences where I lost something, and after praying, it miraculously reappeared! Testimonies such as when I was on a mission trip in Mexico years ago. I had just bought suvineers for my family and it was time to load back on the bus. I was in a panic because I lost my gift for my little brother! I looked everywhere but was running out of time. We finally prayed and I went back to my seat only to find the gift in a bag, sitting right on my seat! It wasn’t there before we prayed, but I believe God put it there for me! He cares about the little things we care about, and He absolutely can make things reappear!
So, all in all, I’m in a much better mindset now. Back to my happy, optimistic self. My camino passport hasn’t shown up yet, maybe it will, maybe it won’t. Nevertheless, I have more peace about it, knowing that God can and will use it for His glory and I don’t have to worry. I’m giving my frustration about the situation to the Lord and letting Him use my lost passport, camino booklet, and 2 pens for His good purpose. Besides, I’ve already been blessed with new pilgrim friends offering me their passport with enough stamps (so I can get the official certificate in Santiago), so kind! With a grateful heart, I declined and told them I have a Frozen notebook (thanks Carly) to place the remaining stamps each day, hopefully they’ll except that. But I also got to share, with several pilgrims, my testimony of God’s goodness from past experiences of losing things. So, even if it was only to plant a couple seeds of faith, it was worth it to me!
I apologize if the title of this blog scared you a bit or led you to think I was stuck here. But hey! It got to you read this far!
Thanks for reading! Thanks for praying with me for the seeds planted in the hearts along the Camino this month! And take this as a reminder that, no matter how pointless, frustrating, or disappointing a situation may seem, God can and WILL use it for good, for His glory! So set your mind back to the happy meter and give your grief to Him! He can handle it! If you don’t yet know the Lord and the peace He can give you in situations as this, don’t waste another minute! Ask Him into your heart today!
