Days Seventeen and Eighteen

Heading home four days early…my body has officially said that it’s done. I spent yesterday morning at the hospital being taken care of by an amazing staff. After about seven shots of anesthesia, a plastic surgeon removed a toenail and cleaned out an infection. He advised no more walking. Since my other ankle has been screaming at me each day after about the eighth mile, I decided to listen. I’m out of feet to limp on!

I think of some pilgrims of yesteryear who crawled parts of the Camino and I can see why. People often walked it for purification. Our bodies have a way of making vivid what is happening in us internally.

One of my favorite quotes was told to me by someone I interviewed for ordination a few years ago. He said, “Never trust a leader who does not limp.” The wounds of ministry have been manifested in my body, but the beauty is that I now know what I’m capable of pressing through. I now know what I can do, even with a limp! I have walked 175 miles. I have climbed mountains.  I’m celebrating that!

I will write more later to reflect on the experience as a whole. It has been one of the hardest and best things I’ve done. I’m trusting His light to continue to show me the way. Thank you for following along!