The gift of hope

This morning, on the first Sunday of Advent, I lit a candle in The Porto Cathedral, where my Camino began almost three weeks ago. And began to walk north again, on the Camino route for just the first stage, as kind of a celebratory memorial.
But here’s the deal: This wasn’t on my agenda, after finishing my Camino walk, to walk the first stage again. However, having an agenda—like making plans—is not dissimilar from list-making. You are expecting to check something off. Complete. Check mark.
And one of the liberating gifts from my Camino pilgrimage? List making is highly overrated.
You are gifted with the permission, to let the list (of expectations) go. And when you do, you make space, and receive gifts to savor.
The gardener in me thinks of that created space as soil. Because it is the dirt that matters. And this I know: in the good dirt, the good stuff grows. Like honoring and savoring, paying attention and groundedness, tenderheartedness and self-care, restoration and forgiveness.
All of it, wrapped in gratitude.
And every single one of those gifts is fortified by hope.
And our candle we light on this first Sunday of Advent? The candle of Hope.

‘Tis true that a part of me wants to figure out how to create (or at least, sustain) hope. There were go, back to needing an agenda.
Here’s what I’ve learned in these past weeks; without knowing it, the next step you take on your Camino, is hope.
What a great paradigm shift.
You take a step, a single step, because hope is real.
And hope sustains.
In letting go of “certainty” and “arrival” the good stuff grows in the redemptive soil of hope.

And no, it is not easy to honor the soil of hope.
One person wrote me, “This Christmas, I’m just hoping, for a wee bit of self-care. Is that too much to hope for? I’m just not that good at it.” I smile, because nothing says self-care like consternation and giving yourself grief for missing the mark. Here’s the deal: We have forgotten how to be gentle with ourselves.
Where was I?
Oh yes, plans and my agenda.
I can tell you that I have made a list. Well, it’s not a long list. But it works for me.
During this Advent Season, I want to tend to my heart. Which means that there is a place I will choose to visit from time to time; a place called Enough. You know, that place where the heart finally slows, where gratitude spills, where we can touch the root of inner wisdom (a taproot some call the soul), where we are not afraid or adversarial, where we do not need to shy away from sorrow or disappointment, where grace is alive and well.
This week I will take with me this invitation, “Live gratefully. Love generously. Speak kindly. Dance daily. Smile freely. Forgive willingly. Inspire joyfully. Hope as if your life depends on it.” (Thank you Margaret B. Moss)

And the soil? I love to carry with me Henri Nouwen’s questions, “Is there a quiet stream underneath the fluctuating affirmations and rejections of my little world? Is there a still point where my life is anchored and from which I can reach out with hope and courage and confidence?”
Parker Palmer writes, “Sanctuary is wherever I find safe space to regain my bearings, reclaim my soul, heal my wounds, and return to the world as a wounded healer. It’s not merely about finding shelter from the storm: it’s about spiritual survival. Today, seeking sanctuary is no more optional for me than church attendance was as a child.”

And from that place called Enough, let us daily savor simple pleasures.
What Rudolph Otto referred to as, “Mysterium Tremendum.” Translated, it means “the bare mystery of simply being.”
It is no surprise that Jesus begins all his parables this way; with a seed, lilies, a camel, wheat, a pearl, a candle. He obviously wanted us to look closely at this world, not some other one. It is here and now, all around us in the most ordinary things, that we find the Kingdom (which he reminded us, “is here”), and that we are in the divine presence.
Being fully alive is a sensual fiesta. Being alive in this world—squarely in the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of this day. Irenaeus got it right a long time ago. “The Glory of God is man (or woman) fully alive.”
Father William McNamara’s definition of contemplation as “a long loving look at the real” became transformative for me. The world, my own issues and hurts, all my goals and desires gradually dissolved and fell into proper perspective. God became obvious and ever present. I understood what Merton meant when he said, “The gate of heaven is everywhere.” (Thank you Richard Rohr)

Speaking of simple pleasures. I am so grateful for heavenly walking shoes. And grateful to my son Zach for recommending them to me.
And the visuals today, as the Douro River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Including the distinguishable red Felgueiras Lighthouse.
On the seven mile walk today, along the coast, I pass a minimum of one thousand people (no exaggeration, although I am a preacher), walkers, joggers, bikers, couples strolling, families with small children. 

And a shout out to those of you affected by winter weather. I see the news about serious snow in the Michigan’s UP, not far from where my father lived. And in other places in the US. Please be on the lookout for those who need help.
I confess that I read this snow report sitting on the Douro river in Porto, with my cup of morning espresso.

This week you’ll be receiving my end of the year gratitude email, saying thank you and asking for support. If these kinds of emails are not your thing, or you have already given, please ignore it. But please know this: I am so grateful that you are a part of Sabbath Moment. No one of us is on this journey alone.

Quote for our week…
When you feel yourself breaking down, may you break open instead. May every experience in life be a door that opens your heart, expands your understanding, and leads you to freedom. Elizabeth Lesser

BULLETIN BOARD

Today’s Photo Credit: On my walk today, along the Atlantic Ocean north of Porto, I saw this and it did my heart good. Savoring time on the sand, listening to the waves, reading a good book… Thank you to all, I love your photos… please keep sending them… send to terryhershey.com 

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Audio, oldie but goodie– The gift of a child’s world
Join us every Wednesday… Audio Sabbath Moment
Letters that do my heart good…
–Dear Terry, Thank you for taking all of us on your Camino journey. Be there Now.  Be present to the beauty, sights and sounds, the peace enveloping you, the surprises along the way, the deep insights you harvest. Blessings and Light, Cammie
–Good morning, No wise words of insight. Just sending tight hugs of gratitude for the gift of you and your daily presence in my life through the words that create stories and pictures. Continue to ponder and savour. Linda
–I give thanks for you today. Your sharing the experience has helped each of us too. I thank God for the gift He planed for you ,and for the strength to finish His Gift. I hope you feel the pride that each of us felt through your every step. God bless and keep you always, Safe travels as you return Home. Elaine
–We are thankful for you and for you taking us on your journey with you. Part of me wishes I could go and walk this pilgrimage but if I never do at least you shared it with me. That is enough and for you I am grateful. Happy thanksgiving. I am betting you didn’t eat turkey. I laugh as I write that. It’s so funny how we all think we have to eat turkey. Blessings. Thanks so much. Joan
–Congratulations Terry! That Cathedral is very sacred and definitely a place to pause. Its beauty, historical and spiritual significance don’t begin to describe how you actually feel when you arrive there. Thank you for helping us go along with you on your journey. Blessings on your re-entry home. Karen
–Buen Camino. I walked the Portuguese Route in late October this year during the heavy rain and strong winds. It was a blessing that I was safe even walking alone in the Camino Path for hours. When I walked I was filled with gratitude that God gave me this opportunity to do the pilgrimage and attend the mass at the Cathedral de Compostela. Reading your Camino experience bring back all the great memories. Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy Santiago de Compostela. Ya-Li
–Good morning, Terry! Your words and photos are bringing back fond memories of the journey my daughter’s youth group took in July 2015.  It’s beautiful how strangers who speak different languages can still communicate on the Camino. Being steeped in nature and just taking the next step necessary is truly mystical. I hope your weather is good and any blisters heal quickly. We had a few battle scars on our heels! Sending prayers for a safe and fruitful Camino. Fondly, Melissa
–Hi Terry. It sounds like there’s a book about your walk coming… no pressure, just sayin’. Especially for those of us who have been lucky enough to have done it, or are still planning to… Enjoy Santiago de Compostela, so beautiful! Linda
–Terry, We are following you on your Camino and remembering ours (very rainy) in 2013 on my 70th birthday. (The last 100 from Leon.) Blessings to you and Buen Camino. John and Linda
–Your walk is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing. Carolyn