Shelter from the Storm

I've never thought about weather so much as when walking the Camino. If you look at pilgrim's, blessings and literature, you're struck by how much weather is mentioned When rain, sun, heat, cold and snow, or constant think a little bit more and you realize it's not just about weather, but it's really about the frailty of the human condition. Out here on the Camino exposed to the elements, day after day pilgrims are at the mercy of the violence of whatever weather conditions they find themselves in. Helpless and exposed on the Camino. Even the staunchest atheist might be caught whispering a prayer just in case. One day, walking to border ghosts with my family of four along the fence of the airport. We saw a massive storm coming our way and fast. We walked as fast as we could. We didn't make it. There was no protection, nothing like this. There we were caught in lightning, hail, pounding, wind and rain. Being a big guy, I grabbed my poncho and like a hand, I got my wife and my daughter huddled as close as to me as I could. Plotting our way to the nearest shelter. For several kilometers we made our way until eventually we found a small overhang of a garage and huddled together to wait it out. The whole time, my daughter crying out to God for his protection here on the Camino. As a family, we felt the promises of God. As the psalmist writes under the feathers of his wings, you will find safety. He is faithful. He will keep you safe like a shield or a tower. You won't have to be afraid of the terrors that come during the night. He won't have to fear the arrows that come at you during the day. He is faithful. Psalm 91, 4 through six, may God protect you as well.