Fiona's thoughts

Before starting this Pilgrimage I met with my prayer buddy, Lynn Evans, and let her know that I was wanting to go deeper in my spiritual conversation with God and to be able to hear and recognise His voice more.

I am not very good at doing the ‘Being still’ thing and find that my brain has garbled thoughts scurrying around it constantly.  Maybe I try too hard to listen and actually just being in His presence is what God was telling me matters. 

I was struck by the beauty of God’s creation through the sights and smells was how God was speaking to me throughout the journey. The beautiful bluebells, the pretty primroses, the gambolling lambs, the fields of rapeseed all spoke of God’s nature and character to me and I just wanted to worship and sing of His awesomeness and majesty (probably to the point of annoyance!) ceaselessly as I walked!

 

 

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to talk one to one and with time with each other on the pilgrimage. We really got to share stories – His story with each other.

On the second day I was struck by the moss covered tree stumps and really felt God show me that this was how he covers me completely in his love, fully encompassed, leaving no part of me uncovered.

I did physically find the walking a challenge, especially after day 2 when the blisters really kicked in. So many friends encouraged me with verses from the bible and other texts and yes, I was recognising God’s voice through this! Here is one of the gems I received from my prayer buddy:

START CLOSE IN – David Whyte

Start close in,
don't take the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step
you don't want to take.

Start with
the ground
you know,
the pale ground
beneath your feet,
your own
way of starting
the conversation.
Start with your own
question,
give up on other
people's questions,
don't let them
smother something
simple.
To find
another's voice,
follow
your own voice,
wait until
that voice
becomes a
private ear
listening
to another.
Start right now
take a small step
you can call your own
don't follow
someone else's
heroics, be humble
and focused,
start close in,
don't mistake
that other
for your own.
Start close in,
don't take
the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step
you don't want to take.

On the last day as we neared Canterbury I had a real sense of Awe and Wonder and Joy:

A few of us were singing as we walked through a wooded glade. We were singing ‘Be Still for the Presence of the Lord’. The ground suddenly felt like we were standing on Holy Ground, the wood was like a cathedral, a reverend space. Everything truly was still, mystical, a heaven touching earth moment. Two butterflies, one white, one yellow followed us up and down the line of worshipping pilgrims dancing to our song / God’s song. It was like they were joining in, worshipping with their dancing wings. Were they two of God’s angels joining us just for a glimpse?

And so the journey of listening and walking continues. Thank you Lord for this amazing experience, may I be ever seeking, knocking and asking.

To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ… Eph 3.18