Back On Schedule

     If I had to choose a theme for my pilgrimage experience thus far it would be: Don't Worry.  It seems at every turn God has been teaching me this lesson in new ways.  When I first arrived on the Camino Frances in Puenta la Reina I calculated that I needed to walk an average of 30km a day to make it to Santiago in time for the Feast (July 25th).  So, I immediately made my plan and said "tomorrow I'm going to walk 40km." I figured I'd try to make up the distance as quick as I could so I could slow down and walk with the same people for awhile into Santiago.  Well, it didn't work out.  I proceeded to attempt to make long days for the next week or so and for one reason or another they never worked out (getting stuck at the post office, being unable to find an atm, etc.). 
     Well, the silver lining is that I got to spend several days with Pierre (whom I met a few days before Puenta la Reina) and Charlie, Chris and Heather (all from Texas).  I love these guys, they're great, devoted Catholics (Charlie is entering the Francsicans in September!) and just fun to be around.  Plus, I got to spend July 4th with other Americans, which was a nice way to celebrate.  But I must admit my embarrassment.  After dinner on July 4th I gave a rather awesome toast about how I was grateful to have spent a few days with everybody and was sad that I would be leaving them behind as I increased my distance to make the Feast (teary eyes filled the room, it was terrible, you should have been there).  And then the next day we all had dinner together again.  And the next day.  And the day after that.  It became a running joke that every night I would say "Goodnight guys, I'm sorry I won't see you tomorrow."  Well, finally in Burgos I left them all behind (after 5 days of trying).  They all took a day off in Burgos, so as long as I walked somewhere that day, I would leave them behind.
     A day before Burgos I accepted that I wasn't going to make the Feast.  I said, "God, I want to make it for the Feast, but if that's not what you want than so be it.  I know that Your plan is far better than mine, and I only want what you want for me."  And then God gave me wings...metaphorically speaking of course.  When I left Burgos I felt great.  I had a ton of energy, my legs and back felt strong, I felt like I could walk forever.  I did 30km out of Burgos and decided that I felt so good the next day I was just going to walk as far as I could.  Well, the flat ground of the Meseta, cool temperatures, and God's grace helped me cover about 50km (31 miles) that day.  And I still felt good.  So the next day I did 47km.  And I was tired, but I realized one more day like that and I'd be on schedule.  So I tried again.  I woke up early (and I was dead tired) and I started walking.  It was tough.  I was exhausted, my legs were sore, my knees were feeling strained, I just wanted to stop.  But I kept praying and I kept walking.  And I walked 54km (32miles) in 12 hours.  I couldn't believe it.  90+ miles in 3 days.  It was insane, it was foolish, and it was done.  I was back on schedule.
     So maybe God wanted me to enjoy the few days I had with my new friends.  Maybe God wanted me to more fully abandon myself to His will.  Maybe He wanted to give me an opportunity to rely fully on His grace.  Or maybe (as my dad suggested oh so long ago when they lost my bag in Toulouse) He just wanted to see how badly I wanted it.  I don't know.  But God gave me the strength I needed, when I needed it, to accomplish what I wanted, and what He wanted for me.  He always has, He always does, He always will.  He never fails to provide for me far more abundantly than I could ask for or imagine.  So why worry?