Ouachita Trail - Section 5 Big Brushy to Hwy 27

 

At the end of hiking Section 5 of the Ouachita Trail, I found this Saint Christopher medal in my truck cup holder.  It is still a mystery how it got there.  My truck had a previous owner and it may have always been there and I was just discovering it.  I hadn't thought of a Saint Christopher in years.  When I was in my teens, it was a trend for us to wear Saint Christopher medals.  I needed all the protection I could get back then and I will take all I can get now.

According to legend, St. Christopher served the new king until he saw the king make the sign of the cross and flee in fear at the mention of the devil. St. Christopher then sought out the devil and served him until he noticed that the devil feared the cross and Jesus. He continued to search for the greatest king and one day met a hermit, who told him about the Christian faith. The hermit told St. Christopher that because of his great size; he could please God by carrying people across a dangerous river. St. Christopher did so, in service to God. One day, he carried a child across the river and noticed that the child got heavier and heavier. The child told him that he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and the one who created the world. The child announced himself to St. Christopher as Christ, his king. That is how St. Christopher became the Patron Saint of travelers.

St. Christopher is viewed as a saint of protection, particularly for protection during travel and long voyages. Statues, medals and pictures of St. Christopher are often placed in vehicles for protection from car accidents.  Statues of St. Christopher were once placed in front of churches, dwellings and bridges. The statues bore inscriptions that said whoever looked upon the statue of St. Christopher would not faint or fall that day.  

A cool token to hang from my backpack as a reminder of protection when I take off on my hiking shenanigan's.