Training Reflection for July 5

Training the "Necessary" 

As one looks to the pilgrimage of El Camino de Santiago de Franco one source says training is helpful.  Leslie Gilmour suggests that though training is not absolutely needed one may enhance the experience beyond a lot of early pain by preparation; stands to reason.  Thus starting the day after retirement I added  physical training  to language training in preparation for what is to come.  The suggestion of the author was for twelve weeks of physical preparation; like most starting slowly and building.  Building in the heat of the South Carolina summer is no fun; but no training that I have experienced is ever fun; always simply necessary.  Physical training; walking significant distances prepares both the body and the mind; not just the body.  As you walk free of technology; meaning no head phones; you allow yourself to be open to contemplation.  Perhaps contemplation may be based upon devotional reading completed earlier; upon reflections on the sermon heard at the last sabbath; upon your own search for the true servant self that God has created in your life.  The prayer is that with both language and complete physical training the pilgrimage may yield the hope for which it is taken; always open to the possibility that God has surprises beyond what one may expect; in fact that may be the only certainty that in humility one may expect.  Training is necessary; no question; but not fun; also no question.

Just Bob