I had a remarkable experience yesterday (Day 15).
As I was limping along the trail, over terribly sharp stones, I finally
hobbled over to one stone to sit, take off my shoes and to check out one
blister site that was feeling particularly tender.
In the midst of about a trillion-trillion stones, I plopped down on a large one along the edge of the trail and discovered that there was a folded piece of paper under a small stone nearby. I slipped it out from under the small stone. When I tried to read it, I realized that it was a devotional of some sort, but written in a language that I could not read. It was dated October 1st.
Just after this, my Swedish friends walked up and I showed it to them. Sara, one of the daughters, realized that it was in Italian and she could just make out a few of the words that were underlined on the page. It basically said, "Be strong inside. You must die in order to live..."
Now, many of you realize that that message has familiar overtones...pruning leads to fruit, death leads to resurrection, light shines brightest in the darkness. For me, however, it was so touching that this message had been placed under that stone and that - despite about a trillion-trillion stones along miles and miles of pathway, I had stopped at that exact spot, had hobbled over to the other side of the trail to sit, had looked down, and had discovered this little message (at least, in my opinion) from God. Not only that, only moments later, Sara walked by and could read enough Italian to tell me what it said!! And so, I conclude this post today with this same message -by divine appointment - to us all, "Be strong inside. You must die in order to live..."
In the midst of about a trillion-trillion stones, I plopped down on a large one along the edge of the trail and discovered that there was a folded piece of paper under a small stone nearby. I slipped it out from under the small stone. When I tried to read it, I realized that it was a devotional of some sort, but written in a language that I could not read. It was dated October 1st.
Just after this, my Swedish friends walked up and I showed it to them. Sara, one of the daughters, realized that it was in Italian and she could just make out a few of the words that were underlined on the page. It basically said, "Be strong inside. You must die in order to live..."
Now, many of you realize that that message has familiar overtones...pruning leads to fruit, death leads to resurrection, light shines brightest in the darkness. For me, however, it was so touching that this message had been placed under that stone and that - despite about a trillion-trillion stones along miles and miles of pathway, I had stopped at that exact spot, had hobbled over to the other side of the trail to sit, had looked down, and had discovered this little message (at least, in my opinion) from God. Not only that, only moments later, Sara walked by and could read enough Italian to tell me what it said!! And so, I conclude this post today with this same message -by divine appointment - to us all, "Be strong inside. You must die in order to live..."
I just have to check in to say how much i'm vicariously enjoying your trip, Martha-- it's just AMAZING and wonderful and (blisters notwithstanding), I'm getting greener by the day. And so proud of you!! Keep going! you're doing great!! And thanks for the awesome updates! It is a blast to picture you taking it all in--- To God be the glory!
ReplyDeleteAnne
What a beautiful experience finding the note under the stone. It was so good for you at that particular time, giving you encouragement and inspiration. Thank you for sharing it.
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