Distance: 28.9 km, Expert
Today is likely the hardest day of walking for me and my group, so some extra prayers for strength, endurance, and peace would be much appreciated. (I’ll let you know if I feel more like an “expert” after 18 miles on treacherous terrain!)
As my group and I walk, we are using trekking poles. Imagine me cascading through the streets of Boston (and down the brook path in Wellesley) with mine as I trained this winter and spring (talk about humility in action!) At first, these poles might seem silly, like a superfluous addition to the journey. (What was that we said about not carrying extra things?!?)
Yet, what trekking poles do for the pilgrim is something that we all need on our Camino- be it spiritual journeying or physical walking. These poles provide added points of contact. That is to say, they actually lighten the load. By shifting the weight of what you carry from two points (our feet) to four points (our feet and arms), these poles make the journey more efficient. They relieve stress on joints, propel us forward, and provide stability on uneven ground.
The same can be said of the “points of contact” in our own lives: the people who hold our story- relieving stress by listening and being present, propelling us forward with encouragement and love, and holding us steady when life feels shaky.
When you think about your life, who are the points of contact who do this for you?
One of the greatest encouragements on our journey is often the people who journey with us. We buoy one another’s spirits and reveal the face of God to one another. As humans we are called to be in relationship. As social beings- made in the image and likeness of God- we find in one another the gift of companionship and also the challenge of relationship. (I’m reminding myself this as I journey with 24 high school girls… we all (no matter our moods or maturity- ha!) are made in the image and likeness of God.)
In fact, at the heart of our spiritual journey is the call to right relationship: to know and love the God who made us, to know and love our neighbors, and to know and love ourselves as beloved children of God.
Today, take moments in prayer to give thanks for the “points of contact” in your life. Make a list of the ways these people support you and the ways they reveal God’s love and your belovedness to you.
Once you’ve done that, reach out to one or two people who support you (or one or two people who you think might need support in your life). A call or text can go a long way in strengthening us on the journey. They can open us up to one another and give God an “in” to grant us graces we need to press on and to open our hearts to the journey of growth and gratitude we are on!