46,000 Steps Together

This is the hardest thing we’ve ever done. And we’ve done it. We put one foot in front of the other, again and again and again. It’s worn us down. It’s brought us to our breaking point. It’s brought us to our knees.

And we’ve done it.

And we’re nearing the other side. Resilient. Tougher. Proud. Thankful.

We’ve done things that at some point this week we were sure we couldn’t. Wouldn’t. We’ve learned lessons we were sure we couldn’t. We’ve loved people. We’ve found God.

Ask any of these 18 pilgrims and we’ll point you to a day, a mile, a moment when we were sure we couldn’t.

But we did.

And we will.

Spiritual transformation is so hard. It takes effort, intentionality, authenticity, dependence, discipline and momentum. We’ve learned this in every way on the Camino.

We learned it today. 22 miles. We - all of us - did it. We talked about community and then we spent the day entrenched in it. Absolutely unable to take all 46,000 steps without one another. Unable to do it without the power of the cross.

We walked the coast in Laredo this morning before boarding the ferry for Santoña. Our devotional was spent over bread and pastries at a lovely outdoor patio. We never set out to do all 22, but yesterday offered the healing rest we needed and spirits were high. So we set off, bound for Bareyo where we’d consider a bus transfer for those who’d need it.

That didn’t happen. Instead, we committed together to finish the day. This was hard work, but the views near the end provided payoff - one we wouldn’t have had on a bus.

The people of Spain are so kind. They offer rides and food and help and hellos constantly. Tonight, the hotel restaurant put off closing and had our food waiting for us when we arrived at 8:30. They treated us with care and made us feel at home.

We skipped tonight’s debrief - sleep is more important now. We’ll pick up in the morning, after a late breakfast and a chance to sleep in.

Tomorrow brings the final miles. We don’t have many but I hope they last. We’ve developed a fondness for the work. For the struggle. For the feelings of pride, accomplishment and complete reliance on Jesus. For the steps and the company and the anticipation of what lies ahead.
For one more day...Buen Camino.