Laughing with Christ

Written for PrayND, find a slightly different version below:

I am lost.

On top of a mountain, in a foreign country, with the last town an hour behind me, I am lost. I am lost and I am nearly sobbing—maybe from the fact that I have not seen another pilgrim all day, or the fact that I stupidly took the road less traveled without a map. Or maybe it is because I am dehydrated and physically exhausted after hiking for 10 hours. Or maybe I simply can’t hold my bladder a second longer and tears of realization set in, indicating I may not sleep inside tonight. Do I burst into tears or burst into laughter?

Laughing outside the church where I spent the night in Grañon before heading out for a day of walking!

Walking the 500 miles from St. Jean de Pied de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, I laughed often. I laughed with strangers and joked with companions. I chuckled to myself when I got stuck in pouring rain and smiling, rolled my eyes when I tripped for the hundredth time on that rock that was out to get me (I swear it followed me every kilometer of the way). These types of laughter were familiar, but there was also a humor I did not yet know: God’s humor.

Yes, God has a sense of humor. God is not just an old guy with a beard up in heaven telling us what not to do—He is funny and delights in our laughter. Along the Camino Frances, which I walked for five weeks in Northern Spain, God created occasions for laughter from despairing situations. He made me laugh when the graffiti-edited traffic sign reminded “Don’t STOP walking,” just as I popped a thumb to hitch a ride. I quietly giggled when

Day 41: Destination-Home, 6134.5km

A reflection by St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross…“Whatever did not fit in with my plan did lie within the plan of God.

I have an ever deeper and firmer belief
that nothing is merely an accident.

When seen in the light of God,
my whole life down to the smallest details has been marked out for me
in the plan of Divine Providence
and has a completely coherent meaning in God’s all-seeing eyes.

To be a child of God, that means to be led by the Hand of God, to do the Will of God, not one’s own will, to place every care and every hope in the Hand of God and not to worry about one’s future.On this rests the freedom and the joy of the child of God. But how few of even the truly pious, even of those ready for heroic sacrifices, possess this freedom.

When night comes, and you look back over the day and see how fragmentary everything has been, and how much you planned that has gone undone,
and all the reasons you have to be embarrassed and ashamed:

just take everything exactly as it is,
put it in God’s hands and leave it with Him.

Then you will be able to rest in Him —really rest — and start the next day as a new life.”

I have been incredibly blessed by the plans, accidents, and miracles divinely coordinated on my Way. Thank you for all your prayers and support and I wish to all, Buen Camino!

Further reflections and stories in the weeks to come…

Day 37: Destination- Olveiroa, 20km plus some while lost…

Onward to Finisterre (“the end of the earth”)!

Many mixed emotions leaving Santiago yesterday, stiff body, lots of rain, and lonely for the first time on the Way. Praying, “some fruit
would be really nice right now, Lord” and 3 steps later…
Repeated the mantra all day, “Thank you, Lord, for the gifts I do not yet know.” This little guy was one such gift that welcomed me at the simple, donativo albergue last night.

Already feeling that ocean breeze, so close!

Join me in praying for:
-Piotr’s vocation discernment.
-The state of our Church, that distanced believers be strengthened to recognize the fullness of the Truth.

Day 23: Destination-Rabanal del Camino, 20.3km

Staying with the Benedictines for a few days in their monastery retreat house. Laudes, Mass, Vespers, and Completas every day in this beautifully simple church.I’ll check in more thoroughly in a few days. Meanwhile, join me in praying for:
-Kristoff, that he may find healing from his addiction through God’s embrace during the camino.
-All the kiddos at Mount Saint Vincent Home
-Each member of my WOHO volunteer family

Day 5: destination Cirauquí, 26.8km

I’ve decided to devote each day of walking to a different prayer intention and invite you to join me in praying for these individuals. “For where two or three gather [in spirit] in my name, there am I with them” (Mt 18:20). I will post intentions in clusters every few days. These are from the first 4 days of walking.

-Healing of my heart
-Willingness to accept with peace God’s plan in Emily’s life.
-A special intention for Miles
-Katie’s pregnancy and a friend diagnosed with cancer

Spotted this kid while roaming the streets of Pamplona during the San Fermín festivities. Got lost for an hour among the crowds, ugh.

Recognize this landmark? Made it to my first “movie moment” atop a windy hill today!

Resting my head here tonight. Beautiful accommodations and a calm, friendly inn keeper–much unlike the stressed atmosphere of other albergues.