17 days. That is how many days I have before I will take my first steps on El Camino de Santiago. As I have shared, I have been struggling with my back injury for nearly three weeks and doing all I can to heal before I take my first steps on this pilgrimage. Today, I had the chance to meet with the leader of our group who is a dear friend and a prior Pastor. We talked about walking and drawing closer to God. There is something about not having to worry about anything but waking up, putting one foot in front of the other to get to your next destination and finding food and water along the way. Imagine being able to do that for a day, let alone days. No worry about what someone needs from you, no need to check emails, answer phone calls…just one foot in front of the other. I shared that when I walk, I can turn down the noise. With each step, I start to focus on my breathing. I not only hear the air come in and out of my lungs, I feel its warmth as it escapes my body. The small beads of sweat that begin to form and slowly pulled by gravity become just one of many things reminding me that each step is a step of endurance, perseverance-pushing myself. I begin to notice every bird, every sound. I see how the leaves in the trees turn in the wind creating a symphony of sound. I am reminded of many of God’s words and Psalms seems most fitting, “I lift my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalms 121:1-2, NIV)