Friday, November 4th

Reflection by Lisa Ferris

Today’s pictures can be viewed here. Today’s prayer intentions: Annemarie Benigno personal intentions.

Have you ever been on a vacation for a few weeks and towards the last couple of days, find yourself longing for home?

At the last few chapters of a novel… find yourself skimming through pages, with an expectation of reaching the conclusion?

Here we began our day with the realization that we have only four days of walking left. How did we ever get here?? The end seemed so far away when we began, and now it is definitely within our sights!!

We walked towards a small church where an older man beckoned us to come inside. We were happy to find the church open, and even happier to find a man so eager for us to come in, take time to pray, get a stamp. I considered what a day in the life of this man looks like, spending time in the chapel with the Lord. Standing at the door, inviting people to come, sharing a bit of his story with pilgrims. Later in the day when we stopped for a snack we met up with a few pilgrims we had met the day before, they had also stopped at the church, said some prayers, lit a candle. It was a new experience for them, they were so very thankful. Grateful for the invitation from the man to come, come in, come and be with the Lord.

This pilgrimage has had it’s struggles and joys, easier days and ones that ended in tears, so many wonderful people and Spain… is amazing. Yet here at the end, my heart longs for Santiago. Café con leche, pimientos de pedron, sangria, visiting historical sites, amazing vistas were exciting and delightful but I came here for a purpose, to reach Santiago de Compostela. What seemed to be fulfilling at one time is losing it’s luster, almost a distraction now.

The psalmist says, “My souls longs for the courts of the Lord.” Everything in this world was meant to draw my heart to the Creator of heaven and earth. If there are things in this world that distract me from my destination, the problem isn’t with those things, the problem is my heart. The Lord stands and calls me, invites me to leave all of that behind. Spend time in prayer, in His presence, come…

And so it is with my journey towards my real home, heaven. The excitement builds, and yet I must be mindful to watch my steps, not skim through the pages, let the journey do it’s work to prepare me!

Buen Camino ❤️🙏

Today’s pictures can be viewed here. Today’s prayer intentions: Annemarie Benigno personal intentions.