A wonderful Life

He met us as we left some small town in Spain this morning. Asked where we were from, and when we said Canada, he began to chat in broken English.  He told us of the places he has lived and visited, including Bilboa, San Sebastian and the village we were in. After each place, he would say, "it is wonderful. You have to go see it. It is beautiful!"  He talked of coastlines, and beaches, and festivals, and every one of them was "beautiful ... You must go see it."  As we walked away, he shouted, "it's a beautiful life!"

Well of course it is.  When you choose to see the beauty in every place you visit, and in every situation you encounter, it is a beautiful life.  

On that basis, today has been a beautiful day.  Much cooler to walk in than the last three days of 35plus.  Much fewer hills to conquer.  Nothing spectacular. But you have to admit, having 90 days to walk across Northern Spain makes even non-spectacular days spectacular.

On the same basis, yesterday was a beautiful day.  Blazing hot sun, with zero shade as we approached the brutal ascent and descent of the Hill of Forgiveness. But I ask you, "how do you get beautiful vistas and panoramic shots if you don't first climb the hill? 

And speaking of the hill of forgiveness, there was another one!  Climbing Calvary's hill if forgiveness also requires the harsh light of exposure.  Nothing to hide behind as you walk that hill either.  But approaching the Cross, the brilliant searing light of exposure turns into the swarm, loving light of forgiveness.

The hill of Forgiveness is worth climbing.

It is a wonderful life!