Tuesday, June 11, 2013

6/11

Yesterday, Gib mentioned that I am committed to walking the Camino "at the pace of prayer."  Some of you may be wondering what that means.  Along the Camino, there are stone markers that show the remaining distance to Santiago.  Each marker is about 3.5 feet high, flat on top, with the image of the Camino (a scallop shell) on the front of the base. (See picture.)  Pilgrims traveling the Way often leave rocks on top of these markers; symbolic of prayer requests or things people want to relinquish (like negative emotions, bad habits or painful memories.)  By "walking the pace of prayer," I spend many of my steps reflecting or listening to the Spirit.  When someone or something comes to mind, I know that I should pray for them, and perhaps place a rock on a marker on their behalf.  

I'll give you a couple of examples.  Yesterday, the young adult son of some friends continued to be on my mind, so I prayed for him.  Mid-day, I had the sense that I should put "his" rock on top of a pile of rocks.  When I did that, I sensed God telling me not to worry, that God was holding this young man securely, and would not let him fall.  I also pick up rocks as I walk along the Camino, if I see one that catches my eye.  Yesterday, I noticed a black, irregularly shaped rock.  It wasn't pretty, but I felt compelled to pick it up anyway. This morning, we received an email from a friend requesting prayer for his wife, who lives with chronic pain.  As Gib read me the email, I suddenly knew that that rock represented this woman's pain.  So I put it in my pocket as we headed out.  Mid-day today, we encountered a statue of a woman who appeared to be suffering.  She wasn't identified, so I nicknamed her Dolores (which means pains). I knew when I saw the statue that this was the perfect spot to leave that rock. (See the picture of me with "Dolores").

There were other spots along the way when I found myself praying for people or leaving rocks; sometimes for others, and sometimes for myself.  Many of you have been in my thoughts and prayers.  (If you sent us an email request, I prayed for you and your concern today.) We walked about 13 miles today.  Tomorrow is supposed to be about 11.  Let me know if there is anything I can "carry" or "put down" for you.  Love, Susan

1 comment:

  1. Thank for your update...Reminds me of this poem

    Footprints

    I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord,
    And across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
    For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints
    In the sand; one belonged to me, the other to the Lord.

    When the last scene flashed before us, I
    Looked back at the footprints in the sand.
    I saw that many times along the path of life,
    There was only one set of footprints. I also
    noticed that it happened at the lowest and
    saddest times in my life.

    I questioned the Lord about it.

    “Lord, you said that once I followed you,
    You would walk with me all the way, but I have
    Noticed that during the most troublesome times
    In my life, there is only one set of footprints.
    I don’t understand why, in times when I needed
    You most, you would leave.”

    The Lord replied, “My precious child, I would
    never leave you during times of trial and
    suffering. When you see only one set of
    Footprints, it was then that I carried you.

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