Clay in the Hands

Day three is in the books. I am learning how to navigate the process a bit better. Day one was somewhat of a train wreck with no place to stay after the 16 miles of walking. Even though I had a confirmed room in an Albergue (hostel), when I arrived, the young lady behind the desk just said, “Completo.” I showed her the email confirmation but still – “Completo.”

So I walked across the street, took my back pack off, sat down on a stone fence and tried to call other places, only to find my cell phone would not make in-country calls. After almost 2 hours on the phone with my provider, and my wife having to be the go-between, I was set. Part of the issue was in the middle of getting help, my phone died. So I had to find a place that would allow me to charge my phone.

Finally, with a working phone, I was able to call and find a place with a bed – the problem – another couple of miles up hill.

By the time I stumbled into the Albergue, it was 13 hours from when I started and I had not eaten anything all day. But Domingo, the hospitalero was extremely gracious.

Lesson learned, do not trust the online booking – – call ahead. I am now about to spend the night in my third Albergue and even have a place reserved for tomorrow night as well – WIN! Albergues are quite the experience. Each one has been different but it is basically a big room with a bunch of bunk beds and everyone just makes it work.

At any rate, I am still learning the lesson to trust and then today, God added a second lesson. Backpacking through northern Spain means you carry everything you need on your back for the two weeks. It is amazing how little we need when we have to physically carry it with us. Even with bare necessities, my pack has been weighing in between 25 and 30 pounds – depending on how much water is still in my hydration system.

But as I walked today, God began to speak to me and remind me how little it actually takes to live. We have added so much to our lives – especially in our culture – and so much of it does more to distract us from our relationship with God than to draw us closer.

Stripped down to God and me, there is little room to hide. God has made it clear to me that part of this time is to remove all distractions and things that get in the way of my relationship with Him so that I can hear His voice more clearly.

What keeps you from hearing His voice? I encourage you to make space and time in your life to set aside distractions so that you can hear Him more clearly.

¡Buen Camino!