Show unexpected kindness to strangers
This summer my husband Bob and I flew to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago. The Camino de Santiago offers may paths for pilgrims to walk, all heading to Santiago de Compostela, which according to tradition is the burial place of Saint James. Pilgrims walk each day carrying backpacks and water bottles always looking for the familiar posts with a yellow arrow showing the way of the ancient Camino path which winds through the mountains, villages, and cities of Spain.
Pilgrims have walked the Camino for centuries. Each pilgrim walks for their own reason. Many walk for spiritual direction and prayer.
As Bob and I walked our 100 kilometer Camino path, I felt vulnerable everyday. I was barely able to communicate my needs in Spanish, and my body was pushed to its limits. But in my vulnerability I learned to recognized that each day gifts of grace were always available and always offered.
Several times Bob and I were uncertain of the direction of the Camino path, somehow missing the familiar yellow arrow that showed us the way. Often just at the right moment, someone unexpectedly showed up directing us to turn to the left or turn to the right or both. They were our angels.
It was around 6:00 p.m. at the end of a really rough day walking 16 miles up and down a rugged mountain path. We had already walked an additional two kilometers up a steep hill from the Camino to a small village for our night’s lodging. We were exhausted and without a soul in sight we were uncertain about the location of our reserved lodging. Did we really need to climb yet another rather steep hill before us? Did our Google map directions really lead us to a cow path? When you have already walked 16 miles, another hill is a special kind of hell.
Amazingly, a kind-hearted woman just appeared from a country driveway. She had been checking on the chickens and proudly showed us a beautiful brown egg in the palm of her hand. She noticed our distress and wanted to help. We used gestures and attempted words in Spanish to explain what we needed. Nodding her head, she said something in Spanish that sounded reassuring and motioned for us to follow her. She lead up up the cow path and helped us find our way. Before she left us, she hugged us both and warmly wished us well. We decided she most certainly was an angel and we brushed a few tears from our eyes. I will never forget that little brown egg in the palm of her hand.
That is the Camino…when the unexpected kindness of a stranger feels like a miracle. Immeasurable gifts are given to us every single day. The gift of the Camino is that we notice them.
Take it of Leave it #6 Show unexpected kindness to strangers
