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“Papa, it’s for you.” I saw these words boldly written on one of many yellow arrow mile markers about 15 miles into our longest hiking day of about 18 miles. I did a double take and paused. How much I was focused on my aches and pains of walking. How each step became unconsciously heavier. The sun I relished in the sweet morning rays had become my enemy beating down in the heat of the afternoon. “Papa, it’s for you”... had I been walking for Him

So many things prior to and during the Camino, I thought I was doing for God, but it was for myself. So many activities, friends, and life events that I have, I tend to hold onto in a prideful and selfish way. But, after so many miles of walking, with that being your only task for the day, I started to rid myself of external things. My mind went deeper than the general constant noise in my head. The worries of the past and future started to abate. The present and the beauty of simplicity became more magnified. Silly worries seemed smaller while the important things started to take precedence in my mind. Although, I still found myself thinking of my biggest worries and talking about my big life questions. 

I had made it an effort before my trip, to really think about why I was walking. I didn’t have much of an answer, except for the fact that I wanted to listen to God. That I needed to listen to him, but I hadn’t made the time in my everyday life to really listen. He was calling me to listen too. The simple, “Papa, it’s for you”, shifted that focus from talking into listening.

Walking the Camino gave me time to reset and refocus, and truly appreciate the little things along the way. It reminded me of how blessed I am, and how God is always working in my life, whether I see it or not. It helped turn some of my many thoughts away from my ego and refocus my journey back to Him. In the juxtaposition moments of life, the happiness and the sadness all mixed together so well, God is there. And I thank Him, listen to Him, and pray that I may always remember this Camino and give glory to the faithfulness and love of Papa.